EC05-0186-28
With its sensor booms projecting ahead of the wing, the Pathfinder-Plus solar-electric aircraft soared under a blue sky on a turbulence measurement research flight. Remotely piloted, solar-powered aircraft similar to Pathfinder, such as the follow-on Helios ultra-long-duration flying wing, could spend long periods over the ocean, monitoring storm developments to provide more accurate hurricane predictions. These aircraft could also 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