Project Irradiance - Developing of a Long Endurance Solar UAS
Faculty Mentor Name
Joe Perry
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
As Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) mature into a practical industry tool, aircraft development has split into two distinct pathways. There are the inexpensive but short flight duration battery-powered UAS. Then there are the expensive but long duration gasoline powered UAS.
Project Irradiance seeks to provide a middle ground by leveraging solar power to extend the range of a battery-powered UAS. Using a hybrid electric system will allow the UAS to leverage full power for takeoffs and climbing. Then while in cruise the aircraft can recharge its internal battery with the excess solar energy generated in cruise. By designing an efficient aircraft it is possible to have the power required by cruise be significantly less than the energy provided by the cells. This allows a small and efficient camera suite to also be powered by the integrated power system. The team estimates that in optimal conditions the aircraft could fly for a period of 4-6 hours. This could provide smaller agencies a cheaper alternative to manned aircraft for long duration operations such as search and rescue and wildfire fighting.
The aircraft has been designed in both OpenVSP and Fusion 360 in order to perform aerodynamic simulations. The first prototype of the aircraft will be completed in early March. The final proof of concept flight will be performed in the middle of April, and will include continuous camera transmission with recording throughout the flight.
Project Irradiance - Developing of a Long Endurance Solar UAS
As Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) mature into a practical industry tool, aircraft development has split into two distinct pathways. There are the inexpensive but short flight duration battery-powered UAS. Then there are the expensive but long duration gasoline powered UAS.
Project Irradiance seeks to provide a middle ground by leveraging solar power to extend the range of a battery-powered UAS. Using a hybrid electric system will allow the UAS to leverage full power for takeoffs and climbing. Then while in cruise the aircraft can recharge its internal battery with the excess solar energy generated in cruise. By designing an efficient aircraft it is possible to have the power required by cruise be significantly less than the energy provided by the cells. This allows a small and efficient camera suite to also be powered by the integrated power system. The team estimates that in optimal conditions the aircraft could fly for a period of 4-6 hours. This could provide smaller agencies a cheaper alternative to manned aircraft for long duration operations such as search and rescue and wildfire fighting.
The aircraft has been designed in both OpenVSP and Fusion 360 in order to perform aerodynamic simulations. The first prototype of the aircraft will be completed in early March. The final proof of concept flight will be performed in the middle of April, and will include continuous camera transmission with recording throughout the flight.