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The Waypoint Planning Tool: Real Time Flight Planning for Airborne Science
Entry ID: NASA_GHRC_WPT

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Summary

Abstract: NASA Earth science research utilizes both spaceborne and airborne real time observations in the planning and operations of its field campaigns. The coordination of air and space components is critical to achieve the goals and objectives and ensure the success of an experiment. Spaceborne imagery provides regular and continual coverage of the Earth and it is a significant component in all NASA ... field experiments. Real time visible and infrared geostationary images from GOES satellites and multi-spectral data from the many elements of the NASA suite of instruments aboard the TRMM, Terra, Aqua, Aura, and other NASA satellites have become norm. Similarly, the NASA Airborne Science Program draws upon a rich pool of instrumented aircraft. The NASA McDonnell Douglas DC-8, Lockheed P3 Orion, DeHavilland Twin Otter, King Air B200, Gulfstream-III are all staples of a NASA's well-stocked, versatile hangar. A key component in many field campaigns is coordinating the aircraft with satellite overpasses, other airplanes and the constantly evolving, dynamic weather conditions. Given the variables involved, developing a good flight plan that meets the objectives of the field experiment can be a challenging and time consuming task. Planning a research aircraft mission within the context of meeting the science objectives is complex task because it is much more than flying from point A to B. Flight plans typically consist of flying a series of transects or involve dynamic path changes when "chasing" a hurricane or forest fire. These aircraft flight plans are typically designed by the mission scientists then verified and implemented by the navigator or pilot. Flight planning can be an arduous task requiring frequent sanity checks by the flight crew. This requires real time situational awareness of the weather conditions that affect the aircraft track. Scientists at the University of Alabama-Huntsville and the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center developed the Waypoint Planning Tool, an interactive software tool, that enables scientists to develop their own flight plans (also known as waypoints) with point-and-click mouse capabilities on a digital map draped with real time satellite imagery. The Waypoint Planning Tool has further advanced to include satellite orbit predictions and seamlessly interfaces with the Real Time Mission Monitor which tracks the aircraft s position when the planes are flying. This presentation will describe the capabilities and features of the Waypoint Planning Tool highlighting the real time aspect, interactive nature and the resultant benefits to the airborne science community.

Description: Download the The Waypoint Planning Tool.

Service Citation

Originators: He, Yubin; Blakeslee, Richard; Goodman, Michael; Hall, John
Title: The Waypoint Planning Tool: Real Time Flight Planning for Airborne Science
Release_Date: 2010
Provider: NASA Global Hydrology Resource Center
URL: http://rtmm.nsstc.nasa.gov/wpt/index.html

Service Keywords

DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION >VISUALIZATION/IMAGE PROCESSING

DATA MANAGEMENT/DATA HANDLING >SUBSETTING/SUPERSETTING

DATA MANAGEMENT/DATA HANDLING >TRANSFORMATION/CONVERSION

DATA MANAGEMENT/DATA HANDLING >DATA INTEROPERABILITY

Science Keywords

LAND SURFACE >LAND USE/LAND COVER

SPECTRAL/ENGINEERING >INFRARED WAVELENGTHS >INFRARED IMAGERY

ISO Topic Category

GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION
IMAGERY/BASE MAPS/EARTH COVER

Project

EOSDIS >Earth Observing System Data Information System

ESIP >Earth Science Information Partners Program

Access Constraints None

Ancillary Keywords

Data Handling
Flight Plans
Real Time Operations

Service Provider

NASA/MSFC/GHRC > Global Hydrology Resource Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA

Service Organization URL: http://ghrc.nsstc.nasa.gov/

Service Provider Personnel
Name: MICHAEL GOODMAN Phone: 256-961-7890 Email: Michael.Goodman at nasa.gov Contact Address: Global Hydrology and Climate Center 320 Sparkman Dr City: Huntsville Province or State: AL Postal Code: 35805 Country: USA

Distribution Media

Distribution_Media: Online
Fees: No fees

Personnel

MATT HE
Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT
Email: mhe at itsc.uah.edu
Contact Address:
University of Alabama in Huntsville
301 Sparkman Drive
City: Huntsville
Province or State: AL
Postal Code: 35899
Country: USA

TYLER B. STEVENS
Role: SERF AUTHOR
Phone: (301) 614-6898
Fax: 301-614-5268
Email: Tyler.B.Stevens at nasa.gov
Contact Address:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Global Change Master Directory
City: Greenbelt
Province or State: MD
Postal Code: 20771
Country: USA

Creation and Review Dates

SERF Creation Date: 2012-06-06
SERF Last Revision Date: 2012-06-07

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