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The remotely-piloted Altair unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) took to the air

The remotely-piloted Altair unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) took to the air on its first checkout flight on June 9, 2003 at El Mirage, California.

 
Photo Number: EC03-0154-3
Photo Date: June 9, 2003
 
Formats: 524x480 JPEG Image (121 KBytes)
1117x1024 JPEG Image (602 KBytes)
2618x2400 JPEG Image (3386 KBytes)
 
Photo
Description:
The remotely-piloted Altair unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) took to the air on its first checkout flight on June 9, 2003 at El Mirage, California. The aircraft was developed for NASA by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. as a long-endurance, high-altitude platform for development of UAV technologies and environmental science missions.
 
Project
Description:
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is developing the Altair, a modified version of its MQ-9 Predator B unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) project. NASA plans to use the Altair as a technology demonstrator to validate a variety of command and control technologies for UAVs, as well as an aerial platform for a variety of Earth science missions.

The Altair is designed to carry an 700-lb. payload of scientific instruments and imaging equipment for as long as 32 hours at up to 52,000 feet altitude. Eleven-foot extensions on each wing give the Altair an overall wingspan of 86 feet with an aspect ratio of 23. It is powered by a 700-hp. rear-mounted TPE-331-10 turboprop engine, driving a three-blade propeller. Following successful completion of basic airworthiness flight tests in 2003, Altair is scheduled to be acquired by NASA for evaluation of over-the-horizon control, collision-avoidance and other technologies required to enable UAVs to operate safely and routinely with other aircraft in the national airspace.

 
NASA Photo by: Tom Tschida
 
Keywords: Altair, first flight, Predator B, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, El Mirage, unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, ERAST, Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology
 


Last Modified: June 10, 2003
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