Atmospheric Wind Measurement WindSat University of Colorado at Colorado Springs at Colorado Springs WindSat Team: Rodger Mourning Courtnee Applegate Justin Perkins Anna Stanko Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jason Roney

Presentation Agenda  WindSat project overview  Flight summaries  Results  Conclusions  Questions

WindSat Challenge  Measurement of wind speed and direction. (Anemometer could not be used)  Payload mass limit of 1.8 kg.  Dimensional limit of 20 cm.  Harsh environment and conditions. (-60 degrees C, 0 kPa) (-60 degrees C, 0 kPa)  Landing impact survival.

WindSat Applications  Space Missions / Research: Determination of atmospheric conditions prior to a planetary explorer descent can greatly decrease the chance of mission failure.  Atmospheric Research: Direct wind measurement would improve weather models.

WindSat Design WindSat1 Systems: –Wind Measurement System  Four Pitot static probe configuration.  Four differential pressure transducers.  Four channel data logger (MicroDaq). –Type T Thermocouple (HOBO) –Pressure, Humidity, Temperature Sensor (MicroDaq). –Electric heater with thermostat. WindSat2 Revisions: –Rudder and bearings for wind alignment.

WindSat Design Instrument Mounting Module WindSat1 WindSat2

Instrument Testing  Preliminary tests were exploratory. –Determine variables of dependency. –Become familiar with instruments (operating range, etc.)  Pressure transducer calibration.  Pitot tube wind tunnel testing.  Instrument accuracy verification.

WindSat1 Flight Summary  Maximum altitude: 30.4 km (99,760 ft)  Maximum ground speed: 35 m/s (79 mph)  Minimum temperature: -61 C (-77 F)

WindSat2 Flight Summary  Maximum altitude: 12.4 km (40,600 ft) (Ice accumulation ended ascent)  Maximum ground speed: 31 m/s (70.6 mph)  Minimum temperature: -61 C (-77 F)

Temperature Results Lapse Rates: EOSS 71 0 to 15 km: B 1 = K/km 15 to 30 km: B 2 = 1.87 K/km EOSS 73 0 to 12 km: B = K/km U.S. Standard Atmosphere 0 to 11 km: B = -6.5 K/km

Pressure Results Pressure Profile:

Wind Speed Results Atmospheric winds: Absolute wind speed = Mean wind speed + Relative gust speed V w = V m + V g

Mean Wind Speeds Determined from GPS tracking data. EOSS 71: For 0 < z < 13 km For 0 < z < 13 km Vm = ( )Z m/s Average directional heading = 135  SE For 13 km < z < 20 km For 13 km < z < 20 km Vm = ( )Z m/s Average directional heading = 258  WSW For 20 km < z < 30 km For 20 km < z < 30 km Vm = ( )Z m/s Average directional heading = 258  WSW EOSS 73: For 0 < z < 12 km For 0 < z < 12 km Vm = ( )Z m/s Average directional heading = 79º ENE (Where Vm = mean wind speed (m/s), and Z = altitude (m))

Wind Gust Speeds Determined through Pitot tube measurements. A FFT analysis showed no significant frequencies in the energy spectrum. Mean Wind Gust Speeds: EOSS 71: Equation 1 V g = [(7.143E-4)Z + 2] m/s EOSS 73: Equation 2 V g = [(8.5E-4)Z + 2] m/s (Where Z = altitude (m))

Conclusions  Mission goals were met.  Need for planetary explorer pre-landing probe.  Improvement of weather models.

References NASA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):

Questions ?