Lessons Learned from NASA s UAV Science Demonstration Program Missions.

Transcription

1 Lessons Learned from NASA s UAV Science Demonstration Program Missions Steve Wegener, NASA Ames Research Center Barriers to UAV Deployment for Diverse Applications DOT/NASA Program on Transportation Applications of Remote Sensing and Spatial Information National Consortium on Remote Sensing in Transportation 2 December 2003 USDP Lessons Learned Summary Briefing UAV Science Demonstration Program (USDP) Science Achievements Platform Lessons Learned Sensor Payload Lessons Learned Mission Planning Lessons Learned Safety Lessons Learned Range Lessons Learned FAA Lessons Learned Project Management Lessons Learned Contracting Lessons Learned Outreach Lessons Learned Program Management Lessons Learned Overall Lessons Learned Identified Needs UAVSDP Goals NASA's Earth Science Enterprise -Suborbital Science Program supports Airborne Science and Applications Mission Requirements with Innovative Technology Conduct high-quality research that exploits the unique capabilities of UAV aircraft. Demonstrate the utility and promise of UAV platforms for Earth science observations. Build confidence in UAV platforms through a scientifically useful demonstration.

2 UAVSDP Experiments Flown in Summer / Fall 2002 Altus Cumulus Electrification Study (ACES) flew from Naval Station Key West Coffee Harvest Optimization experiment flew solar Pathfinder Plus from Pacific Missile Range Facility UAVSDP Lessons Learned Documentation - Objectives Provide guidance for future UAV (science) users Provide feedback to NASA-ESE on the UAVSD Program and on the use of UAVs for ESE science and applications Identify needs for future research, development and demonstration Provide feedback to UAV builders / service providers for future missions Science Lessons Learned - General UAVs provide unique platforms / access to airborne locations due primarily to the ability to fly where and when a manned platform would not UAVs can carry the same or similar sensors as a manned platform, but require attention to ensure remote or autonomous operation, and may be constrained in weight or volume

3 Science Achievements - ACES Altus capability was successful for thunderstorm flights: high altitude, slow flight speed, electrically quiet platform 13 flights, 33 hrs flight time, very happy science team The weather map, flight profile screen was invaluable for finding experiment conditions, and is now available for others to use. ACES flight track 21 August 2002 QuickTime and a Microsoft Video 1 decompressor are needed to see this picture. Real Time Weather Display Location of storms with cloud top information Location of aircraft Ground Lightning Strikes Two typical views with aircraft track. Lightning strikes are - and + signs (right picture) Information from: GOES Weather Satellite (left) Ground Base Radar Info (right) Other Sources are also available

4 Science Achievements - Coffee Harvest The loitering capability and real-time flight control of the Pathfinder Plus were ideal for the imaging mission. Real-time imagery was a benefit to the coffee grower. N Field ripeness map (30Sep02) Most Ripe W E S Miles Least Ripe 410 Platform Lessons Learned - General Mature UAVs with previous experience can be expected to perform as advertised in science missions. An experienced flight team with adequate depth is desirable for success. Data on previous performance is needed for safety review success. Discuss with vendor previous lessons learned: risks and mitigation. Integration with the payload and testing for interference should be performed in advance. Discuss shipping schedule and issues in advance.

5 Sensor / Payload Lessons Learned - General UAV payloads must operate either autonomously or by remote command. Design and testing of a UAV payload can be a major task for UAV missions - allow adequate time and resources. Payload communication approaches are many and changing. Communication may be through the aircraft or independently - have an expert in this field on your team. UAV payload bays / locations may not be temperature or pressure controlled. Plan accordingly. Mission Planning Lessons Learned - General Establish roles and responsibilities during the proposal phase. Establish liability in the proposal phase. Understand go/no-go criteria for both platform and science If go/no-go criteria or other mission operations are based on previous missions, review for relevancy to current mission. Safety Lessons Learned - General Distinguish between safety risk and mission success risk. Review AFSRB procedures and requirements early. Establish points of contact and regular communication. Review existing guidelines for relevancy to current mission.

6 Flight Range Lessons Learned - General Arrangements should be made well in advance. Get all relevant guidance in writing. Maintain constant communication with the range during all planning stages. Consider carefully the pros and cons of flying from a military base. Schedules are subject to override. Personnel change frequently. Safety concerns may be excessive. Radio frequencies are hard to obtain. Rules can change suddenly. Plan to provide dedicated Internet for your team. Military firewalls are difficult to negotiate. FAA Lessons Learned - General The FAA is familiar with UAVs and in most regions is amenable to working with UAV teams to obtain a certificate of authorization (COA). Begin discussions early, the earlier the better, to work out flight requirements. Involve both the science team and UAV vendor in discussions with the FAA to insure good communications. When things are working well, the FAA can be flexible. Project Management Lessons Learned - General A full-time project manager on both the science and UAV team is crucial. Frequent communication is vital. Team building is essential. Systematic project management - progress reporting of accomplishments, plans, risks and mitigation, schedules, and budgets is necessary. Establish adequate schedule and budget reserves - expect the unexpected. Having a committed partner at the flight facility is important.

7 Contracting Lessons Learned - General Get everything in writing. Write performance-based contracts with UAV vendors. Include options. Specify time-off and overtime rules for all parties. Include in base MOUs schedule options and issues. Establish accounting practice expectations in the proposal phase. Outreach Lessons Learned - General Outreach is a necessary activity - plan for it. Media activities during a science campaign can be stressful - but highly desirable. For UAVSDP both were very successful. Traditional news media must be courted, and sometimes corrected. Coursework / curriculum development is time-consuming and may be more resource-intensive than anticipated. Plan accordingly. Scientific publications take longer to produce, but present an opportunity for prolonged outreach. Program Management - Lessons Learned UAVs are an emerging technology; will need lots of TLC until platforms mature and operations are routine. Regular communication is valuable; monthly progress reviews helpful and recommended. Systems engineering approach facilitates risk management by highlighting potential problems before it s too late. Experienced project manager complements PI well. Implementation plans were very helpful in the success of these projects. Experienced UAV teams ensured safe and successful campaigns based on established procedures.

8 Overall Lessons Learned UAVs can provide unique platforms for science and applications. Real-time interaction of PI and pilot is easier and more productive on the ground. Real-time mission visualization tools are the future of suborbital science. Work with an experienced team, a mature UAV. Prepare a thorough implementation plan and follow it. Start early on all approvals. UAV payloads must be designed for remote or autonomous operation, and may need extensive testing. Plan schedule and resources accordingly. Use a payload with heritage. Communication within and outside the team is a challenge, and the KEY to success. Identified Needs - UAV Systems An ideal UAV would fly to 60,000 ft with long endurance (at least 24 hrs) and adequate payload capability (100 s of pounds). Lower cost of UAV operations. More commercial UAV vendor options. Improve reliability of UAVs for high altitude, long endurance. Provide thorough documentation of aircraft systems (for safety review). Develop easier rules for access to the National Air Space. Identified Needs - UAV Technology Provide redundancy in all aircraft systems. Electrical hardening of the aircraft for meteorological work. On-going technology watch for advanced sensor systems. Higher bandwidth data communications systems. O-T-H systems with adequate data rate and coverage, affordable and compact. Develop technology to ease access to the NAS, such as see-andavoid.

9 Contact Information Steve Wegener NASA Ames Research Center, MS Moffett Field, CA / Susan Schoenung Longitude 122 W 1010 Doyle Drive Menlo Park, CA / Schoenung@aol.com Platform Lessons Learned - ACES Altus had the right capabilities - was well chosen. Whereas Altus had the needed capability, it was also subject to many maintenance problems. Flight termination system was an issue for safety review and shipping. Robust, operational UAVs are needed, as opposed to custom research aircraft. Platform Lessons Learned - Coffee Pathfinder Plus had the right flight characteristics for the imaging flight and demonstrates future long duration capability for remote sensing. The solar aircraft is extremely fragile. Operational window is severely constrained by weather. The AV team is professional with established procedures.

10 Sensor / Payload Lessons Learned - ACES Prior experience with the payload was helpful. All the needed data were adequately obtained. Moving map / weather display software was a huge success Sensor / Payload Lessons Learned - Coffee Harvest Prior experience with similar payloads was helpful. Testing on manned platform was necessary, but had aircraft- and testing related problems. Real-time data access valuable to user. Flight Range Lessons Learned - ACES ACES original plans to fly from PAFB were modified to fly instead from NAFKW because access was denied at PAFB. Establish responsibility and liability of the proposed UAV operations. Document as well as possible the aircraft system. Obtain on-site advocate at the appropriate level to serve as a spokesman and represent the interests of the project. Attempt to obtain direct access to the decision makers. ACES made good use of relationships and facilities established earlier for Crystal-FACE. Utilize commercial Internet access in support of project activities.

11 Flight Range Lessons Learned - Coffee Harvest Arrangements should be made well in advance. Get as much information as possible, including all schedule conflicts, in writing. Maintain constant communication with the range during all planning stages. Plan space requirements in advance. Discuss costs and accounting procedures in advance. FAA Lessons Learned - ACES The FAA worked cooperatively with the ACES team COA was promised, and approved, but just in time for deployment FAA was flexible during campaign, allowed passage into NAS early when of value to the experiment. FAA Lessons Learned - Coffee Harvest The FAA worked well with the Coffee Harvest team. Intermediary consultant was useful to PI. Intermediary consultant viewed as unnecessary to UAV team. COA promised and delivered. FAA was flexible during mission, allowed modifications to flight plan to accommodate science objectives.

12 Project Management Lessons Learned - ACES The Implementation Plan was a valuable tool. Monthly progress reporting maintained accountability. More frequent or more discerning communication with UAV company would have avoided some wasted time/resources. Project Management Lessons Learned - Coffee Harvest Regular communications are vital. A committed team is key. Monthly progress reviews maintain accountability. Outreach Lessons Learned - ACES Media day was successful. Traditional news media has maintained interest. Web site has been visited often. Aerospace America cover article, Unmanned Systems feature. Coursework harder to develop than anticipated.

13 Outreach Lessons Learned - Coffee Harvest Media day during campaign was a success. Traditional media has maintained interest. Web-site useful during campaign Successful launch of UAV Applications Center Coursework evolving Multiple Publications in process