2008 Annual Report - NASA Airborne Science Program

SlERRA
The Sensor Integrated Environmental
Remote Research Aircraft
(SIERRA) is an unmanned,
fixed-wing aircraft able to carry
up to 100 lbs of science payload,
with endurance from 8-12 hours, up to
12,000 ft. The project is a partnership between
NASA ASP and the Naval Research
Laboratory to demonstrate a multi-mission,
medium payload platform for sensor development
and science missions suited to
unmanned aerial applications.
The team continued to progress towards
the first flight of a science payload, logging
nearly 25 hours of flight testing on the
aircraft during FY2008. Ground testing and
taxi testing were performed at Moffett Field,
CA, with additional engine/taxi tests being
performed at Truckee, CA for cold weather
validation. Flight testing was conducted
within the Fort Hunter Liggett restricted airspace
and at Crow’s Landing under an FAA
Certificate of Authorization.
Designs were completed and configuration
control board reviews were conducted for
the first flight payload. The first payload will
consist of three instrument packages:
- Ice roughness profilometer and INU.
PI: James Maslanik, University of Colorado
at Boulder.
- Pyrometers, pyronometers, and a microspectrometer
for ocean color.
PI: Geoff Bland, GSFC/WFF.
- Hyperspectral imager and high resolution
tracking camera.
PI: Steve Dunagan, NASA/ARC.
In FY2009, the SIERRA will be upgraded to
include a differential GPS (DGPS) for providing
precise and accurate position data to the
payloads. An Iridium satellite communications
modem will also be installed into the autopilot
and ground station for over-the-horizon
command and control. The project is partnering
with an NASA Aeronautics project,
led by Corey Ippolito of NASA Ames, to
install a PC/104 terminal in the nose for flight
experiments. The team will also be finalizing
plans and beginning implementation on a fuel
capacity upgrade that will likely entail adding
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