High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) in support of NASA’s Earth System Observatory

Events > High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) in support of NASA’s Earth System Observatory

High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) in support of NASA’s Earth System Observatory

Webinar Speaker:

Matthew Fladeland

Affiliation:

NASA Ames Research Center

About the Webinar

This talk will provide an overview of current high altitude platforms systems (HAPS) capable of supporting NASA Earth Science as well as outlining current NASA projects that are seeking to mature and exploit these platforms. NASA scientists have been interested in HAPS for over 2 decades and recent advances in high-power batteries, efficient, thin-film solar cells, strong, yet light-weight structures, and miniaturized flight control components have all contributed to making HAPS an operational reality. NASA Earth Science is focusing on instrument development and planning tools, the NASA Small Business and Innovative Research Program and Space Technology Mission Directorate are funding flight demonstrations, and the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) is working with the FAA on how to enable integration into the National Airspace System (NAS). This talk will highlight two ongoing flight projects as well as recently awarded grants to teams proposing new flight demonstrations. Current risks and challenges will also be discussed.

About the Speaker

Matthew Fladeland Matt Fladeland is a Research Scientist at NASA Ames Research Center with a background in Forest Science and airborne science. He currently manages the Ames Earth Science Division Airborne Science Program Office, where he manages several teams that provide agency-wide engineering and IT support to Flight Projects, new technology and planning, and contracting for aviation services. Matt’s recent research has focused on the use of UAS and more recently HAPS for Earth Observations and he serves as an SBIR Subtopic Manager for High Altitude Platforms Systems. Matt is Chair of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Airborne Geophyiscal Research and Applications (ICCAGRA) consisting of agencies across the federal government that operate and or use aircraft for earth science research. Matt also serves on the NASA Standing Review Board and on the DOE ARM UAS Advisory Committee.