Drone Policy

Flight of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS; drone) vehicles will not be authorized without permission from the NRAO Director's office and site directors. It covers UAS flying requests around NSF NRAO facilities of:

  • Virginia (Charlottesville Edgemont Road and CDL buildings)
  • West Virginia (All on site GBO facilities and telescopes)
  • New Mexico (Socorro SOC building, Albuquerque Office, VLA site, and ngVLA facilities)
  • VLBA (sites across North America)

This applies to all individuals and entities seeking to operate drones at or near NRAO-managed properties, including NRAO staff, contractors, vendors, partnering institutions, and members of the media (Public Media Requests). Given the geographic location, operational diversity, and safety requirements of NRAO facilities —ranging from administrative offices to remote antenna arrays and mountainous observatory sites — specific operational requirements and safety restrictions may vary by location. Site-specific guidance, airspace classifications, and any applicable Radio Frequency (RF) interference considerations should be considered.

Compliance with this policy is mandatory for any drone activity occurring within the defined operational boundaries of all listed NRAO facilities, regardless of the UAS operator's affiliation or the intended purpose of the flight. Contact the NRAO with any inquiries. 

Connect with NRAO

The NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory and NSF Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NSF NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NSF NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NSF NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NSF NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (U.S. NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.