1. Investigations of Spatial and Temporal Variability of Ocean and Ice Conditions In and Near the Marginal Ice Zone:
The "Marginal Ice Zone Observations and Processes EXperiment" (MIZOPEX)
Goals:
* Assess ocean and sea ice variability during the melt season within a key marginal ice zone region.
- Amount and distribution of heat in the ocean mixed layer
- Relationships between atmospheric conditions and solar heating
- Sea ice characteristics and relationships to melt rates and change
- Satellite product validation (SST, ice concentration)
* Demonstrate potential for geophysical research using multiple unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in polar regions.
* Determine best practices for collaborating with FAA regarding flight requirements and limitations.
NASA supported, with contributions from NOAA.

2. MIZOPEX Concept of Operations Over the Beaufort Sea:
SIERRA flies long-range transects along straight-and-level tracks co-located with satellite overpass tracks.
ScanEagles focus on detailed, sustained observations at low altitude over more localized locations, including dropping “air-deployed micro buoys”.
DataHawk “Self-Deploying Surface Sensor” (SDSS) mini-UAVs are launched on one-way flights to land on water and deploy sensor strings.
ScanEagle and DataHawk UAS include safety aspects such as lost-comm procedures and failure modes.
Both UAS have considerable history of safe use, with ScanEagles having accumulated 10’s of thousands of flight hours.

3. General UAS Operations Approaches for MIZOPEX:
SIERRA operates from Deadhorse Airport. Transit the 22 miles to international airspace at 400 ft and then ascend to 1500 ft. Ground observers for 10 mile overland transit and GBSAA (radar) for 12 mile overwater transit. Alternative: use chase plane between Deadhorse and international airspace. Long, straight-and-level flight tracks at a fixed altitude. Communications = LOS radio and Iridium satcom hour flight duration.
ScanEagles are launched and recovered by catapult and tethered hook system at Oliktok Point (on Beaufort Sea coast near Deadhorse) or near Deadhorse. Altitude range = 300 ft. to 1500 ft. “Lawn mower” patterns of straight-and-level tracks at a fixed altitude. Some missions involve air-dropping of ADMBs. Most missions would involve two aircraft, each with separate ground system and pilot in command. Communications = LOS radio and Iridium satcom hour flight duration. Some missions could involve underflying the SIERRA flight track.
DataHawk/SDSS operate from Oliktok Point or coast location near Deadhorse. One-way 20+ mile flights on direct track, with landing on water. Altitude = maximum 400 ft. Communications = LOS radio.
Co-located UAS operations shall maintain a minimum of 500 ft vertical separation
Co-altitude operations shall maintain a minimum of 5 miles lateral separation
Lost comm procedures shall be established to deconflict flight lines during autonomous RTB.

4. The NASA SIERRA UAS Science Instrumentation Environmental Remote Research Aircraft
6 m wingspan
25 kg payload (15 – 33 kg for MIZOPEX)
10 hr, 1000 km range
(4 to 7 hours for MIZOPEX)
Pyronometers (2)
Spectrometer (2)
LIDARs (2)
Video camera
SAR
Pyrometers (2)
Still cameras (2)

5. Overview of the UAF-Operated InSitu ScanEagle UAS
Wingspan: 10.2 ft, Length: 4.5 ft
Weight: 29 lbs (empty), 44 lbs (max takeoff wt.)
Gas engine (1.9 hp), rear propeller, onboard generator for electric power
48 knot airspeed (cruise)
Catapult launch, wing tip capture via cable
Autonomous flight control with GCS control while in line of sight radio range (approx 40 km)
Iridium satcom for over the horizon operations
Endurance: 20+ hours
Ceiling: 19,500 ft.
Payload: up to ~6 lbs.
Has received numerous FAA Certificates of Authorization, thousands of flight hours achieved.

6. Overview of the DataHawk/SDSS Vehicle
Wingspan: 1m
Weight: ~700 gm
Electric propulsion
Rear folding propeller
14 m/s airspeed
Power: 40-min lifetime battery
Cost: ~ $600
Airframe: EPP foam
Autonomous flight control, with user supervision while in comm. range
Comm. range: about 5km
Flight range: ~30 km
Has received multiple Certificates of Authorization from FAA

7. SDSS Operating Modes Deployment In-flight Landing
Auto-Launch: bungee launch for sorties to landing locations up to about 30km offshore.
In-flight
Auto-Helix: vector field attraction to a loiter circle near the target landing site.
Landing
Auto-Land: Plane glides along landing leg to designated landing coordinates upon reaching the loiter circle.
Plane switches into surface sonde mode upon landing, deploying thermistor string, and sending data to an overflying Scan Eagle upon request.
Loiter circle attractor
Strong circulation region
Landing
Site
Landing
Leg

8. Air-Deployed Micro-Buoy (ADMB) air-dropped from ScanEagle & DataHawks configured as Self-Deployed Surface-Sensor (SDSS) (to be deployed over open water offshore)
ADMB Launcher in ScanEagle Payload Bay
ADMB with Thermistor String
SDSS Fleet
ADMB & SDSS Deployment Strategy
29 November 2012
UAS Capabilities & Activites Meeting | Boulder, CO