Abstract

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R-Series (GOES-R) field campaign was focused to provide validation of the SI traceability of the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) established pre-launch. In support of this objective, an advanced capability development effort was initiated, “GOES-R near surface unmanned aircraft system (UAS) feasibility demonstration study” to meet the long-term challenges of validating next generation sensors. We report on the results of this 18-month study to design and develop the prototype systems, both rotary and fixed wing. The rotary UAS is the primary system focused on radiometric validation consisting of a sensor suite with hyperspectral (reflective solar) and broadband thermal infrared measurement capabilities, in addition to a high-resolution context imager. We will discuss the design, characterization, and integration stages of development, as well as functional and operation environment flight testing. The rotary system design takes advantage of off-the-shelf technologies and fiber-based optical components to simplify integration and commanding. The characterization results - including laboratory measurements of temperature effects and polarization sensitivity - are used to refine the radiometric uncertainty budget towards meeting ABI validation objectives. The functional performance and operational environment tests demonstrated autonomous/semi-autonomous UAS validation flights with stabilized gimbal pointing and geo-referenced data product generation from all sensors. The system and testing refinements throughout the development with respect to calibration procedures, fiber configurations, command and data handling, and electrical connection hardening will be reviewed to highlight the lessons learned in this effort and inform the path forward towards maturing this capability for operational use. Such systems have the potential to create a rapidly-deployable, affordable, flexible validation capability that builds off the heritage approaches and can meet the unique challenges of GOES-R ABI and other next generation satellite systems.

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Aug 24th, 9:25 AM

Feasibility Demonstration of Near-Surface Unmanned Aircraft Systems for GOES-R ABI Validation

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R-Series (GOES-R) field campaign was focused to provide validation of the SI traceability of the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) established pre-launch. In support of this objective, an advanced capability development effort was initiated, “GOES-R near surface unmanned aircraft system (UAS) feasibility demonstration study” to meet the long-term challenges of validating next generation sensors. We report on the results of this 18-month study to design and develop the prototype systems, both rotary and fixed wing. The rotary UAS is the primary system focused on radiometric validation consisting of a sensor suite with hyperspectral (reflective solar) and broadband thermal infrared measurement capabilities, in addition to a high-resolution context imager. We will discuss the design, characterization, and integration stages of development, as well as functional and operation environment flight testing. The rotary system design takes advantage of off-the-shelf technologies and fiber-based optical components to simplify integration and commanding. The characterization results - including laboratory measurements of temperature effects and polarization sensitivity - are used to refine the radiometric uncertainty budget towards meeting ABI validation objectives. The functional performance and operational environment tests demonstrated autonomous/semi-autonomous UAS validation flights with stabilized gimbal pointing and geo-referenced data product generation from all sensors. The system and testing refinements throughout the development with respect to calibration procedures, fiber configurations, command and data handling, and electrical connection hardening will be reviewed to highlight the lessons learned in this effort and inform the path forward towards maturing this capability for operational use. Such systems have the potential to create a rapidly-deployable, affordable, flexible validation capability that builds off the heritage approaches and can meet the unique challenges of GOES-R ABI and other next generation satellite systems.