LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — NASA has selected a Lawrence business to develop a drone for high-altitude air sampling.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports NASA and KalScott Engineering Inc. are in the contract phase of the nearly $1 million unmanned air vehicle project.

The drone is expected to provide data for earth science programs at NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Other possible uses could include military or civilian surveillance, cell and GPS services and wildlife and crop surveys.

The Federal Aviation Administration hasn’t yet formalized rules for flying drones in the United States.

NASA says KalScott’s was one of 108 projects totaling $87 million selected for part of NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research Program.