The FAA has proposed in January 14, 2019 the integration of data from drones and satellites. Here it is the proposal and a new pilot program: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/transportation-research-board-annual-meeting-washington-dc
According to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao, on December 14, 2018 there were nearly 1.3 million registered drones in United States, and more than 116,000 registered drone operators. The secretary declared three proposals: 1- the US Department of Transportation is ready to issue for comment a proposed new rule that would allow drones to fly overnight and over people without waivers, if certain conditions are met. You can find it at https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/DOT_initiatives/ Everybody is of concerns about security, privacy and safety, but perhaps needs to be reminded. 2- Proposal regarding the UAS ( Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Safe and Secure ANPRM (Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) Operations. This proposal identifies major drone safety and security issues that may pose a threat to other aircraft, to people on the ground or to national security. 3- There was the need, according to the FAA, to “develop drone traffic management.” A research project that was initiated by NASA; subsequently became a major joint effort between the FAA and NASA and, in April 2017, through Congressional direction, the agencies combined their respective technology research, and defined the scope of the pilot project. Today, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that the pilot project has become an initiative including three contracts. These contracts have been awarded to commercial service entities to develop technology to provide flight planning, communications, separation and weather services for these drones, which will operate under 400 feet. They are the Nevada UAS Test Site Smart Silver State, the Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site, and the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership. This unmanned aircraft traffic management system will be separate from, but complementary to, the traditional FAA air traffic management system. It will create a shared information network and gather geospatial data. Chao said “together, these three initiatives will be a major step forward in enabling th safe development, testing and deployment of drones in our country.”