Atmospheric Wind Measurement WindSat

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Atmospheric Wind MeasurementWindSat

• University of Colorado
• at Colorado Springs
• WindSat Team
• Rodger Mourning
• Courtnee Applegate
• Justin Perkins
• Anna Stanko
• Faculty Advisor
• Dr. Jason Roney

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Presentation Agenda

• WindSat project overview
• Flight summaries
• Results
• Conclusions
• Questions

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WindSat Challenge

• Measurement of wind speed and direction.
  (Anemometer could not be used)
• Payload mass limit of 1.8 kg.
• Dimensional limit of 20 cm.
• Harsh environment and conditions.
• (-60 degrees C, 0 kPa)
• Landing impact survival.

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WindSat Applications

• Space Missions / Research
• Determination of atmospheric conditions prior to
  a planetary explorer descent can greatly decrease
  the chance of mission failure.
• Atmospheric Research
• Direct wind measurement would improve weather
  models.

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WindSat Design

• WindSat1 Systems
• Wind Measurement System
• Four Pitot static probe configuration.
• Four differential pressure transducers.
• Four channel data logger (MicroDaq).
• Type T Thermocouple (HOBO)
• Pressure, Humidity, Temperature Sensor
  (MicroDaq).
• Electric heater with thermostat.
• WindSat2 Revisions
• Rudder and bearings for wind alignment.

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WindSat Design
WindSat1
WindSat2
Instrument Mounting Module
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Instrument Testing

• Preliminary tests were exploratory.
• Determine variables of dependency.
• Become familiar with instruments (operating
  range, etc.)
• Pressure transducer calibration.
• Pitot tube wind tunnel testing.
• Instrument accuracy verification.

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WindSat1 Flight Summary

• Maximum altitude 30.4 km (99,760 ft)
• Maximum ground speed 35 m/s (79 mph)
• Minimum temperature -61 C (-77 F)

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WindSat2 Flight Summary

• Maximum altitude 12.4 km (40,600 ft)
• (Ice accumulation ended ascent)
• Maximum ground speed 31 m/s (70.6 mph)
• Minimum temperature -61 C (-77 F)

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Temperature Results

• Lapse Rates
• EOSS 71
• 0 to 15 km B1 -7.24 K/km
• 15 to 30 km B2 1.87 K/km
• EOSS 73
• 0 to 12 km B -7.36 K/km
• U.S. Standard Atmosphere
• 0 to 11 km B -6.5 K/km

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Pressure Results

• Pressure Profile

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Wind Speed Results

• Atmospheric winds
• Absolute wind speed Mean wind speed Relative
  gust speed
• Vw Vm Vg

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Mean Wind Speeds

• Determined from GPS tracking data.
• EOSS 71
• For 0 lt z lt 13 km
• Vm (0.0026293)Z - 6.8 m/s
• Average directional heading 135? SE
• For 13 km lt z lt 20 km
• Vm (-0.003401)Z 64.4457 m/s
• Average directional heading 258? WSW
• For 20 km lt z lt 30 km
• Vm (0.0017857)Z - 32.14 m/s
• Average directional heading 258? WSW
• EOSS 73
• For 0 lt z lt 12 km
• Vm (0.0025263)Z - 0.84 m/s
• Average directional heading 79º ENE

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Wind Gust Speeds
Determined through Pitot tube measurements. A
FFT analysis showed no significant frequencies in
the energy spectrum. Mean Wind Gust
Speeds EOSS 71 Equation 1 Vg (7.143E-4)Z
2 m/s EOSS 73 Equation 2 Vg (8.5E-4)Z
2 m/s (Where Z altitude (m))
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Conclusions

• Mission goals were met.
• Need for planetary explorer pre-landing probe.
• Improvement of weather models.

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References

• NASA
• http//marsweb.jpl.nasa.gov/msp98/msss/mardi_hardw
  are/history/huygens/index.html
• http//marsweb.jpl.nasa.gov/msp98/lander/m9821.jpg
  
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  (NOAA)
• http//www.noaa.org/
• http//www.npoess.noaa.gov/images/wind_speed.jpg

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Questions ?