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Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 2)
The recent proliferation of Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) sensors, Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) Radar Chips, and components has the potential to reduce the cost of remote sensors while also facilitating rapid deployment of such sensors. This project will investigate and demonstrate the use of a suite of sensors for comprehensive observations of boundary-layer clouds. The results of this work are expected to have significant impact for the Aerosol, Clouds, Convection, and Precipitation (ACCP) and Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) Decadal Survey observables.
This project is an Early-Stage Innovation to look at the feasibility and viability of using COTS sensors and/or components to realize small, low-cost sensors for observing and characterizing boundary layer clouds from small UAVs. Technologies investigated within this project could be transitioned to viable airborne sensors through funding vehicles like IIP and AITT to be infused in ACCP and PBL suborbital components. The reliance on COTS technologies and nascent UAV capabilities will reduce cost and development time, allowing us to field these sensors quickly to address some of the 2017 Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space objective needs.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — 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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