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SDSU Students Win NASA Contest with Innovative STaPLE Drone

5/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Four innovative mechanical engineering students from South Dakota State University have soared to victory in NASA's Gateways to Blue Skies contest with their groundbreaking STaPLE drone. Designed for soil testing and plant leaf extraction, their project captivated judges with its real-world applications and thorough customer research. The team aspires to bring their drone modules to market by 2027 and 2029, respectively.

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Story summary

Four innovative mechanical engineering students from South Dakota State University have soared to victory in NASA's Gateways to Blue Skies contest with their groundbreaking STaPLE drone. Designed for soil testing and plant leaf extraction, their project captivated judges with its real-world applications and thorough customer research. The team aspires to bring their drone modules to market by 2027 and 2029, respectively.