Dynamic Soaring Control Algorithm Study

Nature has demonstrated the possibility of sustained flight for months at a time through the flight of the albatross. The ability to harness energy from the environment, emulating the flight mode of the albatross, promises to revolutionize autonomous operations and is a key enabler of a vast range of planetary research missions (such as dynamic soaring on Venus). Current state-of-the-art controllers (such as developed by Gabriel Bousquet – MIT) are only simulated and have not been sufficiently proven in the real-world environment. This proposal aims to perform an in-depth literature research in order to learn the current state-of-the-art dynamic soaring controller methods and the barriers that are currently hindering the technological adaption of these methods to real-life environments. Our team recognized that developing a revolutionary dynamic soaring controller from the ground-up would be outside the scope of this CIF opportunity. Therefore, we have intentionally defined this CIF with an appropriate scope that strategically aligns NASA AFRC to successfully acquire further funding (through opportunities such as ARMD’s CAS program) to complete the control algorithm development, UAV design and development, and test flights. The following three key Technical Challenges (TC) have been chosen for completion in FY 2020 through strategically previously conducted research by NASA and academia and collaborating with experienced NASA mentors. TC.1) Conduct an in-depth literature review of current state-of-the-art dynamic soaring controllers. TC.2) Conduct an in-depth literature review of current state-of-the-art boundary layers necessary to achieve real-life dynamic soaring. TC.3) Re-create state-of-the-art dynamic soaring controllers to learn what the next step is and barriers that are hindering real-world application. Merit for this idea has been shown by previous NASA studies including a collaboration with the USAF Test Pilot School and an SBIR. We will build upon these previous successes to enhance align AFRC with developing a real-world worthy dynamic soaring controller.

Space sensor validation; Surveillance nodes; Radio Relay links; In-situ environmental sensing; Package delivery

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