NASA wants to help out commercial airlines with new technology that could save them fuel--and time.
The space administration's software is called the Traffic Aware Planner.
The application connects directly to the airplane’s info hub—scanning the flight route, current position, altitude and other real-time information.
NASA says TAP will then recommend alternative routes or altitude changes that would save fuel or flight time. Those suggestions are displayed directly to the flight crew.
TAP can also scan for potential conflicts with the flight path change, so air traffic controllers can more easily approve a route change request.
The system will also keep an eye on real time weather conditions, wind forecast updates and restricted airspace status.
During the next three years, Virgin America and Alaska Airlines will test out the TAP application, according to NASA.
