NASA Needs A Drone Detector At Kennedy Space Center

NASA is seeking proposals for a new system to help spot and identify drones that may be flying over the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The space agency recently put out a call for proposals for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) detection and analysis services, which NASA is hoping to put into action by April 2026. The purpose of the system will be “to make rapid and critical decisions to protect NASA personnel, the public, launch vehicles, flight hardware, critical high value assets, and security interests,” according to the contract listing. It will have both fixed and mobile sensors.

The move comes shortly after the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it was banning new foreign-made drones and drone components, citing national security concerns.

Eyes on the skies

Kennedy Space Center is NASA’s primary launch site, including for the Space Launch System rocket that will carry the Artemis missions to the Moon, and houses facilities for research and commercial space ventures.

“All UAS flights over KSC property, whether inside or outside the security perimeter, are restricted and only occur with the approval of KSC Flight Operations,” NASA wrote in its proposal. It’s not clear whether the agency has faced recent threats from drones, or if this is a precautionary move to protect its launch assets. It’s also not clear what kind of drone detection systems are in use at the neighboring Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, home to classified military activities.

The drone detection system would detect and identify unknown UAS within a distance of at least 46 miles (64 kilometers), provide threat analyses, real-time detection and alerting capabilities, according to the call for proposal.

The recent ban on foreign-made drones stems from a defense bill that passed last year, which called for a review of the national security risks posed by the flying vehicles. In late 2024, there was a surge of reports of drones seen flying over New Jersey, but most experts say people were simply confused by traditional aircraft.

We can report at least one relevant siting: KSC’s Visitor Center is reportedly running a holiday drone show featuring 600 autonomous aircraft.