Guidesonde: Targeting Meteorological Dropsonde with Optical and In-Situ Sensors

There exists a programmatic need across several government agencies for both UAV and manned aircraft to be able to deploy in-situ observation sensors within areas of scientific interest. These missions include sampling ice at high resolution over the arctic, investigating plumes near active volcanos, measuring ionizing radiation within denied HAZMAT or nuclear emergency areas, and sampling the thermal and momentum fluxes within eyewall of an active hurricane. This latter capability is crucial for the success of future UAS missions such as NASA's Hurricane Severe Storm Sentinel (HS-3). Guidesonde will enable the Global Hawk to loiter at a safe stand off distance, well away from highly turbulent storm areas.

The main application is the NASA Airborne Science Program. The proposed PI attended the May 2012 HS-3 science team meeting as instrument PI for the High Definition Sounding System/Automated Dropsonde Dispenser (ADD). Our team has a deep understanding of the engineering challenge before us. As HS-3 is an experiment it cannot fund new instrument development directly, it was suggested we submit a proposal to SBIR to support Guidesonde R&D.

Most UAV applications are US government due to airspace restrictions.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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