EC05-0186-06
With turbulence-measurement booms projecting ahead of the wing, Pathfinder-Plus soared aloft over Rogers Dry Lake on its final research flight from NASA Dryden. Remotely piloted, solar-powered aircraft similar to Pathfinder could spend long periods over the ocean, monitoring storm developments to provide more accurate hurricane predictions. These aircraft also could be used to monitor major croplands, forests and other large, remote expanses to provide early warning of crop damage or fires. In addition to their commercial communications relay potential, they could also be instrumental in quickly establishing emergency communications links for recovery and relief workers in areas struck by natural disasters where existing communications infrastructure has been crippled.
August 31, 2005NASA Photo / Tom Tschida› Pathfinder-Plus Project Description