The objective of this effort will be the application of the Porter and TERN Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for NASA Earth remote sensing. The Porter UAV has a 30 kg payload capacity, and is capable of 10 hours duration, 50 km operational radius, altitudes to 7 km, and is equipped with a GPS-integrated autopilot. The TERN UAV has a 10 kg payload capacity, and is capable of 4 hours duration, 50 km operational radius, altitudes to 5 km, and is also equipped with a GPS-integrated autopilot. Both UAVs are compatible with the same Ground Control Station (GCS). The GCS uses small computer (PC) technology and has RF links with the UAVs to permit real-time command / control, as well as return of real-time aerial video, telemetry data, multi-spectral data, and/or other pertinent information. The UAV control system capabilities will include pre-programmed and change on-the-fly GPS navigation, altitude hold, heading hold, loiter, and automatic return home upon uplink failure.
Potential Commercial Applications:Agribusiness: Multi-spectral sensors will provide distressed crop position. News/Media: Airborne video imagery for disasters, news, sporting events. GIS / Digital Mapping: Digital/film cameras provide routine updates of map information. Environmental Cleanup / Monitoring: Various geophysical sensors and / or air sampling. Pipeline monitoring: Routine over-flights with multi-spectral sensors. Power line monitoring: Routine over-flights with radio detectors. Fisheries monitoring: Routine over-flights with day/night cameras. Search and Rescue: IR imager-equipped UAV. Disaster Relief: Airborne video imagery, combined with digital mapping.
