Smart Low Altitude Platform for Atmospheric Measurements from a Research Aircraft

"Low altitude air sampling is of critical importance to oceanographic and atmospheric research. Most current research aircraft are unable to fly as low as desired (below 30 meters) due to safety concerns. Those aircraft capable of flying at very lowaltitudes are typically smaller and unable to provide real-time display of the sampled data, or carry multiple scientists capable of interpreting that data and adjusting flight plans accordingly. Additionally, it would be advantageous to be able tosimultaneously sample air conditions at multiple altitudes. This Project will develop a tow-behind platform capable of housing atmospheric sampling instrumentation and maintaining an accurate altitude below 30 meters. The data from the instrumentationwill be sent real-time to the host aircraft and displayed/stored on a computer system. Additional instrumentation on the host vehicle will allow for simultaneous multiple altitude sampling. Full control of the tow-behind platform will be available fromwithin the host airframe. In Phase I the complete system will be designed including the towed vehicle structure, reeling system, instrumentation package, data transmission system and active altitude control system. Phase I Option would see the fabricationof all master plugs and molds required for the construction of the composite towed vehicle body. Numerous military and scientific aircraft are currently performing atmospheric sampling and are incap