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

1. ALTUS Cumulus Electrification Study (ACES): A UAV-based Science Demonstration August 2002

2. Presentation Outline • Project description • Science objectives • Experiment heritage • UAV Science flight requirements

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. ACES Team Science • 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

6. ACES Team Aircraft 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

7. ACES Organization Steve Wegener Program Guidelines UAVSDP Program Office Ames Research Center Technical Direction Contract / Funding MOA / Funding Richard Blakeslee, PI Tony Kim, PM MSFC/GHCC PI – Mode, SD60 ACES Project Office ALTUS UAV General Atomics Science GSFC, PSU Airfield Support Key West NAS Payload Idea

8. 1. Review of the Science Experiment and Science Payload • Project description • Science objectives • Experiment heritage • UAV Science flight requirements

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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/)

12. 1. Review of the Science Experiment and Science Payload • Project description • Science objectives • Experiment heritage • UAV Science flight requirements

13. ALTUS II UAV Ground Control Station Pilot Console Aircraft Selection

14. 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

15. 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

16. ACES Payload ALTUS can accommodate payloads up to 800 W, 400 lb, and 18.6 cu ft

17. Electric Field Mills ACES Payload

18. Electric Field Observations from SBIR Flights These fair weather field measurements demonstrate the low electrical noise level of the aircraft. Magnetic Field

19. 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 ACES Boom Mechanical Analysis

20. 1. Review of the Science Experiment and Science Payload • Project description • Science objectives • Experiment heritage • UAV Science flight requirements

21. 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.

22. Keep Out Zone Keep Out Zone 82 Nautical Mile radius arc NASKW Warning W-174C Location of Field Campaign

23. 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.

24. 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)

25. Distribution of Storms near Everglades Aug 1999

26. Monthly Activity (Hourly Frequency)

27. Monthly Activity (Daily Frequency) Number of thunderstorm days for the Everglades is 12-14 days for August

28. (a) Petal (b) Race Track (c) Polygon (d) Line Flight Patterns

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

30. 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.

31. Real-time weather display Products 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.