NOAA Uses UAS to Capture GRAV-D Observations
Through a joint Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) effort, GRAV-D Observations were captured using UAS, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research’s (OAR) UAS Program and the Nation Ocean Service’s GRAV-D Program.
Last year, industry partner Aurora Flight Science successfully tested its Centaur optionally-piloted aircraft (OPA) for the NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS) program. During the testing, gravimetry data was collected and managed, bringing the project’s Technology Readiness Level (RL) to a 7.
Thanks to the success of that testing, Aurora received a contract to perform gravity survey operations in California jointly with Micro-G Lacoste.
During the survey, which was in support of the California High-Speed Rail project, the Centaur OPA was equipped with Micro-G’s gravimeter sensor, which allowed it to collect data along proposed rail lines in Northern and Southern California.
That data will be used to help planners create a comprehensive model of the earth’s structure along the proposed route, to ensure that the rail system has satisfactory planning and engineering.
Through press release, Carrie Haase, Aurora’s Project Manager, speaks highly of the Centaur OPA by saying, “Aurora’s Centaur OPA has helped make NOAA’s gravity data collection more efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly through the GRAV-D program.”
The commercialization of the technology facilitated a successful SBIR Phase III transition, while at the same time bringing the project to a RL of 9.
In the spring, the GRAV-D Program will use the system to meet NOAA’s gravimetry requirements.
