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Unmanned Vehicles Take to the Skies
Developing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology for civil
applications was the nine-year goal of the Environmental Research
Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) project.
ERAST evaluated several UAV prototype aircraft technologies, including
propulsion, aerodynamics, and structures. Demonstration flights made new
altitude and flight duration records. UAV prototypes took science
observations above developing thunderstorms, calibrated satellites,
monitored crops to aid farmers, observed tropical reef health, and
served as a high-altitude relay for the next generation of cell phones
and digital television.
ERAST also developed a fuel cell-based electric power system to enable
solar craft to fly at night, worked on certification for UAVs to fly in
the National Airspace System, and developed the conventionally-powered
Predator B UAV for the military, along with its civil sister, the
Altair.
The Altair, a high-altitude civil derivative of GA-ASI's Predator B
military UAV, was designed for scientific and commercial research
missions. It has an 86-foot wingspan, can reach altitudes up to 52,000
feet and remain airborne for more than 30 hours.
ERAST UAV Team
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center; NASA Ames Research Center; NASA
Glenn Research Center; NASA Langley Research Center; NASA Headquarters;
Old Dominion University; New Vistas International; High Technology
Solutions, Kauai Office, Aerovironment, Inc.; Modern Technology
Solutions, Inc.; Longitude 122 West; Kauai Community College; General
Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.; Advanced Soaring Concepts; Thermo
Mechanical Systems, Inc.; Niihau Ranch; Hyperspectral Sciences; Morgan
Aircraft & Consulting; Scaled Composites; Kauai Airborne Sciences;
Pacific Missile Range Facility; U.S. Navy; Aurora Flight Sciences;
Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International; Technical
Analysis & Applications Center/New Mexico State University; American
Technology Alliances, Inc.
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