2008 Annual Report - NASA Airborne Science Program
2008 Annual Report - NASA Airborne Science Program
2008 Annual Report - NASA Airborne Science Program
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INTRODUCTION<br />
It’s hard to believe another year has<br />
already gone by and we are issuing<br />
another <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong>. We have<br />
had a very good year, starting with<br />
the stabilization of our budget, which<br />
was given an increase of 22% over the next<br />
five years. This gives us a steady funding<br />
level, instead of the large reductions we were<br />
facing. At the same time, we are adjusting our<br />
program to add some significant capability<br />
in Unmanned Systems, aircraft science<br />
payload telecommunication/sensor webs, the<br />
UAVSAR project, and our development of<br />
standards across our platforms to improve<br />
sensor portability and effectiveness.<br />
Much more of our funds were used this year<br />
on our core aircraft, the P-3, DC-8, WB-57s<br />
and ER-2s. We are improving the capability<br />
of the WB-57 to carry more without the<br />
loss of range and endurance. There have<br />
been significant strides in improving and<br />
standardizing the P-3 and DC-8 science<br />
station functionality and user interfaces. We<br />
are also adding the G-III to our core aircraft.<br />
As a part of its modifications to successfully<br />
operate the UAVSAR system, it now has the<br />
world’s most precise autopilot for an aircraft<br />
of its class.<br />
Other new technology vehicles, such as<br />
the Global Hawks, are now in the <strong>NASA</strong><br />
inventory and are being prepared for their<br />
first science missions next year. This effort<br />
is made possible by our partnering with<br />
Northrop Grumman and NOAA. Our small<br />
SIERRA UAS is also on track for its first<br />
international mission next year supporting<br />
an International Polar Year research activity.<br />
These aircraft will really bring about a<br />
paradigm shift in airborne utilization for the<br />
science community, with their ability to fly<br />
over 11,000 miles and more than 30 hours,<br />
or fly down low, inexpensively, with small<br />
payloads in dangerous regions. In addition,<br />
we have assigned a liaison to the FAA<br />
Unmanned Aircraft <strong>Program</strong> Office to help<br />
work out UAS science flight issues. The<br />
FAA has also given us a seat in the small<br />
UAS aviation rulemaking committee so we<br />
are able to have input on the direction and<br />
process for getting these vehicles into the<br />
National Airspace.<br />
The major airborne mission of the year was<br />
ARCTAS, which was a multi-aircraft, multiagency,<br />
international program combining<br />
the efforts of three <strong>NASA</strong> aircraft, a<br />
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