Stabilized Platform for Airborne Instrumentation

The ability to measure atmospheric radiation while in flight is a valuable capability for atmospheric research. These measurements complement satellite and ground station measurements in providing increased certainty in vertical-column radiometric information. The sensitive instruments used to make these measurements require inertially-stabilized platforms. However no such platform is compatible with the light aircraft that are likely to serve as the vehicle for the bulk of these measurements. This project will develop and demonstrate a suitable stabilized platform that can be operated on small aircraft. In Phase I detailed engineering analyses will be performed to design the hardware and software. In Phase II, the hardware and software will be built and the instrument will be flight tested. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee The stabilization platform should enable a variety of airborne instruments to be flown for atmospheric sensing, gathering imagery data, airborne land surveying, laser communications, etc. Such platforms would be used to stabilize a broad array of sensors related to weapons systems, cameras, and telescopes