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NASA Exploring Potential of Small UAVS for Earth Studies NASA is exploring the potential use of uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAV) that look like large radio controlled airplanes to conduct scientific studies of the Earth. Long endurance UAVs have the potential to fill the gap between satellites and surface networks in the integrated global observing system. That gap is filled by the use of traditional aircraft and limited by the endurance of the onboard pilot. UAVs give researchers a persistent but deployable observing presence, capable of focusing on Earth phenomena that require in-depth, in-situ measurements. UAV data are used in conjunction with the larger global datasets obtained from satellites. NASA has entered into a three-year cooperative agreement with Aerosonde North America, Inc., Denver. Through the agreement, NASA is seeking to determine the feasibility of conducting Earth science research using small, long endurance UAVs. The Aerosonde remotely controlled aircraft offers scientists the opportunity to conduct long duration missions by flying continuously for more than 30 hours. The agreement
calls for NASA and Aerosonde to establish a UAV facility at the
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Wallops Flight Facility (WFF),
Wallops Island, Va. For the complete
article go to, http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/news-
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