ALTUS Cumulus Electrification Study (ACES): A UAV-based Science Demonstration

The ALTUS Cumulus Electrification Study (ACES)

ALTUS Cumulus Electrification Study (ACES): A UAV-based

Science Demonstration

August 2002


Presentation Outline

• Project description

• Science objectives

• Experiment heritage

• UAV Science flight requirements


Mission Overview

• Study thunderstorms using General Atomic’s ALTUS II UAV.

• Exploit unique capabilities of ALTUS to conduct storm studies.

• PI-led, end-to-end experiment encompassing all aspects of mission implementation and execution.


Support and Development

Sponsor

– NASA’s Office of Earth Science

Program

– Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based Science Demonstration Program (UAV SDP)

SDP Goals

– Conduct high quality research using UAVs.

– Demonstrate utility of UAVs for Earth Science and applications observations.

– Build confidence in UAV platforms through scientifically useful demonstrations.


ACES TeamScience

• NASA Marshall Space Flight Center/Global Hydrology and Climate Center (MSFC/GHCC)

– Richard Blakeslee, Principal Investigator (PI)

– Doug Mach, UAH, Co-Investigator (Co-I)

– Tony Kim, ACES Project Manager

– Dennis Buechler, UAH; GHRC; others

• NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)

– four Co-Investigators

• Penn State University

– two Co-Investigators


ACES TeamAircraft Provider

• General Atomics – Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA–ASI)

– Jay Stoneburner, ALTUS Project Manager

Payload and Integration

• Idea, Limited Liability Corp.

– Harvey Rice, Jr.

Facilities and Operations

• Key West Naval Air Facility (Boca Chica Key)

– Lt. Stephen Quaile


ACES Organization

UAVSDP Program OfficeAmes Research Center

UAVSDP Program OfficeAmes Research Center

MSFC/GHCCMSFC/GHCCPI – Mode, SD60PI – Mode, SD60

ACES Project OfficeACES Project Office

MSFC/GHCCMSFC/GHCCPI – Mode, SD60PI – Mode, SD60

ACES Project OfficeACES Project Office

ALTUS UAVALTUS UAVGeneral AtomicsGeneral Atomics

ALTUS UAVALTUS UAVGeneral AtomicsGeneral Atomics

ScienceScienceGSFC, PSUGSFC, PSUScienceScience

GSFC, PSUGSFC, PSUAirfield SupportAirfield SupportKey West NASKey West NAS

Airfield SupportAirfield SupportKey West NASKey West NAS

PayloadPayloadIdeaIdea

PayloadPayloadIdeaIdea

Program Guidelines

Technical Direction

Contract / Funding

MOA / FundingRichard Blakeslee, PITony Kim, PM

Steve Wegener


1. Review of the Science Experiment and Science Payload






Key Science

• Investigate lightning – storm relationships– quantify connections (updraft strength, precipitation, ice mass, storm

height, latent heat release, precursors to severe weather events)

• Support validation of space-based lightning sensors– fill measurement void (observations last collected in early 1980’s)

• Study storm electrical output– quantify contribution of thunderstorm to global circuit

• Benefit science relevant to NASA’s Earth Science themes– themes include Global Water and Energy Cycle, Climate Variability

and Predictability, Atmospheric Chemistry, and Disaster Management


Technology Demonstration

• Demonstrate the utility and promise of UAVs for investigating thunderstorms and other weather phenomena.

• Provide demonstration of real-time monitoring and control of a UAV science payload.

– e.g., electric field will be routinely monitored from the aircraft during ACES flights


Education and Public Outreach• Increase public awareness of ACES and create a

positive public image for NASA.

• Develop interactive science lesson plans at three grade levels to inspire next-generation scientists and engineers.

• Use traditional media and Web sites to achieve public awareness. (http://aces.msfc.nasa.gov/)


Pilot ConsolePilot Console

Aircraft Selection

Ground Control StationGround Control Station

ALTUS II UAVALTUS II UAV


Basis for ALTUS Choice• Maturity level of the ALTUS system

– Predator system now proven with over 40,000 hours

• Proven flight record

– ALTUS UAV had 70 flights/209 hours without incident

• Performance capabilities

– Continuous storm observations

• Successful integration and flight of ACES payload in September 2000

– ACES payload developed and flown on ALTUS under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) activity


Advantages of ALTUS for Storm Observations

• High altitude flight

– 40,000 to 55,000 feet flight level

– “cloud top” perspective

• Continuous observation of storms

– long-duration flights combined with slow flight speeds

• Rapid response

– operational flexibility for changing weather conditions

• Reduced risk to personnel

– no pilot and/or passengers are placed at risk


ACES Payload

ALTUS can accommodate payloads up to 800 W, 400 lb, and 18.6 cu ft

Sensor Measurement Performance Power(W)

Mass(kg)

Volume(cc)

Heritage

Electric field mills(6 sensors)

DC electric field: 3 axis (x, y, z)

<10 Hz<1V/m – 15kV/m

2.8 21.8 16,000 ER-2, ALTUS, other aircraft

Electric field change meters(4 sensors)

AC electric field: 3 axis

1 Hz – 100 kHz 3.0 1.81 7,500 ER-2, ALTUS, other aircraft, ground based

Optical pulse sensor (2 sensors)

Optical lightning transients

320 – 1,100 nm 0.8 2.50 2,250 ER-2, ALTUS, ground based

Gerdien conductivity probe

Conductivity 3x10-13 –10-11 S/m 3.0 1.36 1,100 ALTUS,UAV (Navy Swallow), rockets

Magnetic search coil

AC magnetic field: 3 axis

100 Hz – 100 kHz>1.3 pT@ 10 kHz

0.3 0.91 1,650 ALTUS, Swallow, rockets

Fluxgate Magnetometer

DC magnetic field: 3 axis

0 – 100 Hz>10 nT

0.2 0.45 100 ALTUS

Accelerometer Acceleration3 axis

+/- 4 G 0.1 0.45 55 ALTUS, other aircraft, rockets

Flight Payload Data System (FPDS)

N/A 64 Ch @ 100 Hz16 Ch @ 100 kHz

368 70 156,000 ALTUS

Total Payload 378 163(360 lb)

184,655(6.8 cu ft)


ACES Payload

Electric Field Mills


Observations from

SBIR Flights

These fair weather field measurements demonstrate the low electrical noise level of the aircraft.

Magnetic Field

Electric Field


ACES Boom Mechanical Analysis

• Bulb/Tube Joint

» G10 sleeve in Graphite Epoxy composite tube (2.9”OD x 34” x .08” wall)

» Bonded

• Tube/Adapter Joint

» Graphite Epoxy composite tube on Aluminum adapter tube insert

» Bonded

• Bolted Adapter Joint

» Fastener (mating flanges)

» 8x 10-32 SAE Grade 5 (min) Screws


Experiment Design• Conduct mission from Key West, Florida to take

advantage of cost and resource sharing with another NASA program .

• Study thunderstorms that form over the Florida Everglades and nearby ocean.

• Utilize a large variety of ground- and satellite-based weather data to support both real time operations and science analyses.

• Nearby ocean provides for improved safety during loitering periods and lost link or emergency situations.


Location of Field Campaign

Warning W-174C

82 Nautical Mileradius arc

Keep OutZone

Keep OutZone

NASKWNASKW


Field Campaign Details

• Observe thunderstorms during August, 2002 (option of second campaign in 2003).

• The duration of the observing period will be approximately 4 weeks.

• Goal to complete 8 - 10 flights, each 6 - 8 hours in length.

• ALTUS required to be on station and at altitude (~40,000 to 55,000 ft) for 4 - 6 hours.


Weather at Florida Everglades

• Frequent thunderstorm occurrence in the early to late afternoon

• Summer thunderstorms in the Everglades area are small air-mass “pulse-type” variety

• Typical storm lifetime is 0.5 – 1.0 hours

• Typical storm dimensions are 10 km diameter, 12 km height

• Initiated by differential heating and classic sea breeze convergence (presence of Everglades suppresses activity compared to central Florida)


Distribution of Storms near EvergladesAug 1999


Monthly Activity(Hourly Frequency)


Monthly Activity(Daily Frequency)

Number of thunderstorm days for the Everglades is 12-14 days for August


Flight Patterns

(a) Petal (b) Race Track

(c) Polygon (d) Line


Simulated Mission

WSR-88D radar data used in simulation (shown at Kennedy Space Center)


Weather Support

• ACES supported by team member meteorologists throughout mission.

• Forecasting support will be sought from the Naval Air Facility weather operations and the NWS (Miami and/or Key West).

• Weather conditions will be monitored real time via versatile Java-based software package.

• Electric field at aircraft will be monitored in real time.


Real-time weather displayProducts

Access– Real time display products available to any project computer via LAN

(requires Java application on local computer, display is platform independent)

Status– Software functional now. Specific details for display are being finalized.

Product/Parameter Latency Primary Source

Radar WSR-88D (Miami, KW) 5-10+ min MIDDS

NPOL TBD TBD

Lightning Cloud-to-ground (NLDN) Real time MIDDS

Total lightning (EDOT) TBD FTP

Satellite GOES 15 min (5 min for rapid scan)

MIDDS

Winds Wind profilers Real time MIDDS

Aircraft location INS/GPS from aircraft Real time Serial from Ground Control Station

ALTUS Cumulus Electrification Study (ACES): A UAV-based Science Demonstration

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