2009 Annual Report - NASA Airborne Science Program
2009 Annual Report - NASA Airborne Science Program
2009 Annual Report - NASA Airborne Science Program
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Western States Fire<br />
<strong>Science</strong> Focus:<br />
HQ Sponsor:<br />
PI:<br />
Applied <strong>Science</strong>: Disaster Management<br />
Ambrose, Dorne<br />
Ambrosia<br />
The Western States UAS Fire Imaging effort<br />
project, received ARRA funding to continue<br />
support of wildfire imaging efforts through<br />
2011. The efforts focus on the use of the <strong>NASA</strong><br />
Ikhana UAS and the <strong>NASA</strong> DFRC B200 King<br />
Air (currently under airframe modifications). The<br />
Ikhana is currently allowed to fly fire missions<br />
within 50 nm of Special Use Airspace (SUA).<br />
This limitation has steered the WRAP team to<br />
look to additional manned platforms (<strong>NASA</strong><br />
DFRC B200 King Air) for less restrictive flight<br />
operation capabilities. The <strong>NASA</strong> DFRC B200<br />
King Air is being modified to allow various sensor<br />
packages and satellite data telemetry to be outfitted<br />
on the platform, and is planned for platform /<br />
sensor check-flights in Summer 2010, prior to the<br />
major western US fire season. The WRAP team<br />
anticipates use of that platform to support wildfire<br />
imaging efforts.<br />
Due to a minimal fire season in fall 2008 (early<br />
FY<strong>2009</strong>), the AMS-Wildfire sensor and the<br />
Ikhana did not support any fire data collection<br />
missions. During the second and third FY quarter<br />
of FY<strong>2009</strong>, the Autonomous Modular Scanner<br />
(AMS)-Wildfire sensor spectral characteristics<br />
were modified to prepare it for use in supporting<br />
atmospheric science on the <strong>NASA</strong> Global Hawk<br />
UAS, as part of the GloPac mission series. Due to<br />
weight and balance issues with the Global Hawk<br />
platform, the AMS-Wildfire was removed from<br />
the GloPac payload. The sensor was de-integrated<br />
and made available to support wildfire observation<br />
missions on the Ikhana in late summer <strong>2009</strong>.<br />
After sensor spectral channel modifications in<br />
September <strong>2009</strong> (to change the mid-IR channels to<br />
their fire imaging characteristics used previously),<br />
the AMS-Wildfire was further modified by<br />
expanding the sensor from 12-channels to<br />
16-channels, allowing for both high- and low-gain<br />
sensor spectral sensitivities in the mid-infrared<br />
(Mid-IR) and thermal-infrared (TIR) wavelength<br />
channels (channels 9-12). This allowed for<br />
improved discrimination of wildfire properties.<br />
After the sensor modifications were completed,<br />
the AMS was installed in the Ikhana and a test<br />
flight was flown to ensure system operations prior<br />
to supporting national / state fire emergencies.<br />
A four-hour test flight was flown September 11,<br />
<strong>2009</strong> within the confines of the Edwards Air<br />
Force Base (EAFB) Restricted Area, and system<br />
shakeout occurred. Following the test mission,<br />
various issues involving the aircraft / satcom data<br />
telemetry system were discovered (nationwide<br />
fleet issues) and the aircraft / sensor issues were<br />
worked on extensively.<br />
The western US fire season was considered “light”<br />
by previous fire year averages and nationwide,<br />
the season was closed by mid-October <strong>2009</strong>. No<br />
fire support missions were therefore flown in late<br />
FY <strong>2009</strong>. The southern California fire season<br />
remained an area of concern, due to the frequent<br />
occurrence of Santa Ana wind conditions,<br />
spawning large fire complexes. Due to these<br />
potential fire issues, both the <strong>NASA</strong>-ARC and<br />
<strong>NASA</strong>-DFRC Ikhana mission team remained<br />
at-the-ready to support any necessary wildfire<br />
emergency request flights in October / November<br />
<strong>2009</strong> (early FY2010).<br />
For more information, visit: http://geo.arc.nasa.<br />
gov/sge/WRAP/<br />
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