Update on the NASA/NOAA/DOE Collaboration
on the Utilization of ROA/UAV/UAS forGlobal Climate Change and Weather Research
Will BoltonSandia National Laboratories
Rickey C. PettyU.S. Department of Energy
With support from the National Science Foundation, three students are able to participate in this workshop
Student participants in this workshop
Special thanks to NSF andJay Fein, Pam Stephens and others who made this participation possible
Background
• Recognition in the three agencies of the potential importance of unoccupied/autonomous aircraft in climate and weather research and
observations
• Support from agency management to take the next steps: • Explore the potential of collaboration• Develop an MOU to establish a framework for the collaboration• Conduct workshops to develop technical basis for the collaboration• Identify opportunities for early joint activities
• Specific joint activities would be developed under bi- or tri-agency Implementing Agreements
Status
• Conducted two joint reviews with agency management
• Conducted two previous workshops with focus on 1) science and 2) platforms
• Three-agency MOU developed; now in final review
• Continuing close work between representatives of the three agencies
The proposed collaboration has developed over 3 years
• Each agency has independent interests but will work together in areas of common interest
The participating agencies will work together and independently
• Build on existing programs, campaigns, capabilities
• Leverage current resources
• Work to identify future resources for expanded efforts
• Work toward a grander vision - global in scale, international in scope (it may be years before the full vision is realized)
NASA
NOAA
DOE
The collaboration will work in the intersections
Each agency will continue to work in their individual mission areas
• The first workshop was conduced August 3 & 4, 2004 at Scripps, La Jolla, CA
• Attended by approximately 40 scientists, engineers, and program managers
• The focus was on identifying the key scientific questions that would benefit from the capabilities that UAVs offer
• Results from the first workshop:- Identified 11 science goals in 5 topic areas, including benefits to
society, observations required, and “why UAVs”- Identified obstacles to implementation in 3 broad areas: 1) carbon
fluxes, 2) basic climate state profiles, 3) high impact events
Workshops are an important part of the collaboration process (1)
Results from the first workshop are available online…
… at the following URL:
http://uas.noaa.gov/workshops/workshop1/index.html
• The second workshop was conduced December 7 & 8, 2004 at Boulder, CO
• Attended by approximately 80 engineers, scientists, and program managers
• The focus was on understanding the available UAV technology and identifying gaps between what is required and what is available
• The intent was laying groundwork for a roadmap to develop the required platform and measurement technologies
• Results from the second workshop:- Vision statement- Missions in climate, land & ocean surface, global observation,
and atmospheric observation- Technology overviews in UAVs (high-, mid-, and low-altitude)
and instrumentation (remote, in situ), operations, integrated operations, data, communications- Notional “gaps and roadmaps” in platforms, instruments, data and
communications- Ideas for joint efforts, innovative uses of UAVs, UAV-enabled global observing
system
Workshops are an important part of the collaboration process (2)
http://uas.noaa.gov/workshops/workshop2/index.html
Results from the second workshop are available online…
… at the following URL:
Welcome to the 3rd NASA/NOAA/DOE UAS workshop
Your participation is vital to the success of this workshop and to developing the three-agency collaboration
Thank you for sharing your expertise and time
• The three-agency MOU is currently in the approval process
• The first two workshops… 1) …identified key scientific questions that could benefit from
the capabilities of UASs2) …addressed technology capabilities and gaps to perform the
required missions
• We are now ready to explore the needs of climate, weather, and severe event research and modeling and the role that UASs can play to help meet those needs
In summary…