Novel MAV Air Data System, Phase I

The development of Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) has received considerable attention in recent years for both military and civilian uses. MAVs typically suffer from operation in an extremely low Reynolds number flight regime. At these very low Reynolds numbers, the aerodynamic flow features can be nonlinear and are dominated by laminar separation and separation bubble effects, which can be a source of poor performance from both an aerodynamic and stability and control standpoint. If a stable platform is required for sensor effectiveness, or the vehicle is to be controlled by a relatively inexperienced operator, controllability of a vehicle operating in this very low Reynolds number regime can be a critical factor in determining the success or failure of a design. Flight control systems implemented on this class of vehicles are severely constrained in size and available power. They suffer from inadequate knowledge of the vehicle state, both statically and dynamically. Rolling Hills Research Corporation proposes to use a simple and robust biologically inspired air data system capable of providing instantaneous vehicle state information, including rates, to provide revolutionary stability, control, and performance for these ultra low Reynolds number vehicles.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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