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Demonstrating Acquisition of Real-Time Thermal Data over Fires Utilizing UAVsNASA-Ames Research Center, in collaboration with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has been developing real-time data acquisition and information delivery systems employing uninhabited aerial vehicle (UAV) technology for disaster mitigation and assessment demonstrations. Working in conjunction with the US Forest Service, a disaster community agency responsible for wildfire management and mitigation, we developed a large-scale wildfire demonstration called the First Response Experiment (FIRE). During that experiment in late summer 2001, the participants demonstrated the melding of innovative technologies such as UAV platforms, real-time data processing, and data telemetry for quick analysis of a disaster event. The General Atomics ALTUS UAV, the Airborne Infrared Disaster Assessment System (AIRDAS) and Over-The-Horizon (OTH) satellite data telemetry equipment were employed over a controlled burn to test the feasibility of a disaster monitoring and mitigation platform for hazardous duty. The ALTUS UAV was employed to demonstrate the long duration, altitude, and payload capability of unmanned platforms for acquiring disaster related data. The ALTUS has an operational altitude to 45,000 feet (13,700 in), with a flight duration of twenty-four hours and a payload capacity of over 300 lbs. (148.5 kg). This allows the platform to operate under the conditions that would be necessary for monitoring and mitigating disaster events throughout the Unites States. The four channel AIRDAS data (calibrated thermal infrared digital imagery of the fire event) was sent from the ALTUS UAV via a satellite communications system (NERA transponder and INMARSAT satellite) to a data archive server and an image processing work station at NASA-Ames Research Center, 400 miles away.
Document ID
20020054185
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Wegener, Steven S.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Ambrosia, Vincent G.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Stoneburner, Jay
(General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. San Diego, CA United States)
Sullivan, Donald V.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Brass, James A.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Buechel, Sally W.
(Terra-Mar Mountain View, CA United States)
Higgins, Robert G.
(SIMCO Engineering Moffett Field, CA United States)
Hildum, Edward A.
(Science Applications International Corp. Moffett Field, CA United States)
Schoenung, Susan M.
(Longitude 122 West, Inc. Menlo Park, CA United States)
Peterson, David L.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Subject Category
Aircraft Design, Testing And Performance
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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