NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
NASA support for HAPS development and testingThe current NASA Earth Science Division strategy, referred to as the Earth System Observatory, is intended to more tightly integrate observations across platforms, instruments, and scales, to improve earth system models and support decision making. Within this framework High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) will complement satellite observations by providing high spatial and temporal resolution observations of the surface and atmosphere. A 2021 report by the U.S. National Academies of Science and Engineering (NASEM) on NASA Airborne Science highlighted the promise of HAPS for observing ephemeral or fast changing phenomenon such as wildfires, volcanos, and air and water quality events, but estimated another decade of system development and testing was needed before significant science contributions would be realized. As platforms are tested and procedures are put in place to enable use within the National Airspace System there is growing interest in the science community to make use of this new vantage point for Earth Observations. The NASA Surface Topography and Vegetation (STV) Incubation Study Team report calls for HAPS to be a fundamental component of the STV observing system architecture for a multi-platform constellation in the 2035 timeframe. Also, the current NASA FireSense and NASA ACERO Projects, 5-yr efforts to transition new technologies to operations, are focusing on the CONOPS development, airspace integration and use of HAPS for providing realtime observations to fire scientists and managers. NASA investments in instrument and sub-system miniaturization for cubesats and smallsats are well aligned with HAPS. NASA is currently supporting the maturation of HAPS for Earth observations through competed research opportunities such as the NASA Instrument Incubator Program, NASA Flight Opportunities Program, NASA Advanced Information Systems Technology Program, the Earth Venture Suborbital Program, and the NASA Small Business Innovative Research Programs. These Programs fund development of high-quality, miniaturized science payloads, prototyping and flight testing of low-cost, science-capable platforms, advanced planning and scheduling tools to improve the science output of future flights, and working in partnership with other agencies to conduct flight demonstrations. This presentation will provide an overview of NASA interests in HAPS, currently funded projects, and partnerships that are helping to make HAPS a viable component of the future NASA Earth System Observatory.
Document ID
20250003771
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Matt Fladeland
(Ames Research Center Mountain View, United States)
Brenna Biggs
(Bay Area Environmental Research Institute Petaluma, United States)
Date Acquired
April 15, 2025
Subject Category
Earth Resources and Remote Sensing
Meeting Information
Meeting: UND SOaRS 2025
Location: St. Paul, MN
Country: US
Start Date: April 24, 2025
End Date: April 25, 2025
Sponsors: University of North Dakota
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 769134.01.03.02
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
Technical Review
NASA Technical Management
Keywords
Drone
UAS
UAV
Unscrewed Systems
HALE
HAPS
No Preview Available