Cloud Map Atmospheric Research

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Collaboration Leading Operational Unmanned Aerial Systems Development - Meteorological and Atmospheric Physics

CLOUD-MAP objectives include scientific, educational, and outreach goals. In the former case, we are developing tools and operational guidelines for atmospheric observations using UAS. The focus of these measurements are monitoring the kinematic and thermodynamic state of the atmosphere and associated ground-atmospheric physics. Ancillary data from sources such as radar, ground based meteorological and soil monitoring stations, atmospheric soundings from weather balloons, and models will be used in the analysis of MAP phenomena.

 

Resulting data from the program will also be used to validate satellite-based atmospheric profiling observations and improve retrieval algorithms, improve parameterization schemes in numerical MAP modeling, and complement observations of weather patterns. Social aspects focus on disaster management and mitigation and developing spatially referenced hazard data. Applications of this work go far beyond just weather and will contribute capabilities that reduce technical barriers related to the safety and operational challenges associated with enabling routine access to the US national airspace by public and commercial unmanned aircraft.