Descrizione del progetto
Come i radar tascabili a bordo dei droni rivoluzioneranno l’esplorazione planetaria
Il progetto FlyRadar, finanziato dall’UE, mira allo sviluppo di un sistema radar a bassa frequenza da montare a bordo di un velivolo leggero senza pilota. Il radar opererà in due modalità: come un’apertura sintetica e come un radar penetrante al suolo. Entrambe le modalità sono adatte per la raffigurazione e la mappatura della superficie e del sottosuolo delle croste planetarie e satellitari. Finora le dimensioni, il peso e il consumo di energia di tali radar erano compatibili solo con il trasporto tramite piattaforme aeree o satellitari. Il sistema radar tascabile di FlyRadar sarà abbastanza piccolo da essere installato a bordo di un drone elettrico senza pilota. Il sistema sarà testato sulla Terra in luoghi analoghi agli ambienti marziani e potrebbe avere un posto nelle future missioni di esplorazione di Marte o Titano.
Obiettivo
The proposal deals with the production of a dual-mode, low-frequency, radar installed on board of a leight-weight UAV. The radar will operate into two modes: as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and as ground penetrating radar. Both instruments provide extremely interesting images that are extensively used in Earth and Planetary observations. However, these airborne systems are bulky and can be operated only from manned aircraft both planes and helicopters. On the other hand, the few drones that can sustain such a equipment are large and heavy. In both cases, the operations are expensive and with a complicate logistic. The quantum leap of FlyRadar consists in installing this radar system onboard a small and light electric octocopters, providing low cost utilisation and easy operations. This affordable system will enlarge the user communities generating the possibility for an extensive use of FlyRadar taking advantage of the potentiality of this long-lasting innovation. The use of SAR and penetrating radar is widespread in Earth observation spanning from geological survey to archeological prospecting, from agricultural assessment to artefact detection. However, FlyRadar could be used also in planetary exploration. The NASA mission Mars2020 will test a drone and it will pave the way for the utilisation of UAVs in the in-situ exploration of Mars and Titan. The project is split in two phase. The first half of the project will be devoted in identifying the requirement, in designing instruments and in building them. The second half will be dedicated to the evaluation of FlyRadar with three experiments lasting a month each. The tests will performed in dry desert areas to avoid the negative effect of ground water and humidity on the radar signal. The test executions will be matched by month-long joint sessions for the analysis of the data, assess the scientific value and investigate the technological aspects.
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technologyradar
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticsautonomous robotsdrones
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraftrotorcraft
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-RISE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE)Coordinatore
65128 Pescara
Italia
L’organizzazione si è definita una PMI (piccola e media impresa) al momento della firma dell’accordo di sovvenzione.