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UAVs Will Study Californian Smog
Roland Piquepaille writes "The California Energy Commission is funding a research effort named CAPPS, short for California AUAV Air Pollution Profiling Study. CAPPS will use autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (AUAVs) to gather meteorological data as the aircraft fly through clouds over Southern California. The goal is to study smog and its consequences as well as better understand the sources of air pollution. The first flights started in April 2008 and data collection will continue until January 2009. But read more for additional references and photos of these autonomous unmanned aircraft."
The goal is to study smog and its consequences as well as better understand the sources of air pollution.
Airplanes?
"The goal is to study smog and its consequences as well as better understand the sources of air pollution"
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Oh, that's what they say... But let's just see if they don't get used for citizen surveillance as well... If they're already flying there, you know someone in power will ask for it.
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more crazies seeing UFOs
I assume it's primarily a cost type thing. Flying 4 small automated UAVs is probably cheaper than even 1 manned craft.
There are other possible reasons too. At their size, it's relatively easy to fly the UAVs at low alititudes (like 1 or 2k feet). They are going to be quiet (unlike a small Cessna) when close to the ground. They could be run 'round the clock, and if they can hold a charge (or they put solar panels on 'em) they could stay up for 12+ hours at a time.
I can see some real good points for why you may want a UAV.
Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
They're cheaper to operate, they can stay aloft longer, and they pollute less. What's not to like?
You must be GNU here.
No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
Pay no attention to the government aircraft constantly above your heads. They are only there to study smog.
I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.
You must not live in LA. Yes, most days are ok here (at least a vast improvement over the 70s), but there are still days you can see a visible brown haze. Improvements have been made but the problem is definitely not "solved".
these uavs are using a 2-stroke reciprocating gasoline engine
http://www.acrtucson.com/UAV/manta/index.htm
...t fly into an LA area airport on many days, and your will actually descend through a yellowish-brown layer... The actual number of days in "many days" is in the 20-30 range now. That's down from 200+ days in the past.I live in the Inland Empire which gets the smog from LA. Lately, I've been in the habit of taking a morning walk at a park in the foothills of the mountain range that forms a northern border of the greater LA area. That puts me at about the same elevation as the smog layer.
About half the time there's too much haze (white fogginess) to see the smog layer. On days without haze, the smog layer (brown fogginess) is usually visible. Some days it's hard to ignore, other days you have to look for it - but it's rare for it to be gone completely (maybe on Sundays or holidays).
Also, the uncovered porch where I live develops a substantial layer of tarry black particulate matter matter after even just a day or so. I assume that's soot from vehicle exhaust but I haven't done a detailed analysis.
Anyway, I'm hoping to move out of the Inland Empire and (lack of) air quality is one of my top three reasons for moving.