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Collection:
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NASA Great Images in Nasa Collection
Collection
NASA Great Images in Nasa Collection
Collection
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Title:
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Pathfinder Aircraft in Flight
Title
Pathfinder Aircraft in Flight
Title
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Full Description:
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The Pathfinder research aircraft's wing structure was clearly defined as it soared under a clear blue sky during a test flight July 27, 1995, from Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The center section and outer wing panels of the aircraft had ribs constructed of thin plastic foam, while the ribs in the inner wing panels are fabricated from lightweight composite material. Developed by AeroVironment, Inc., the Pathfinder was one of several unmanned aircraft being evaluated under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program. Pathfinder was a lightweight, solar-powered, remotely piloted flying wing aircraft used to demonstrate the use of solar power for long- duration, high-altitude flight. Its name denotes its mission as the "Pathfinder" or first in a series of solar-powered aircraft that will be able to remain airborne for weeks or months on scientific sampling and imaging missions. Solar arrays covered most of the upper wing surface of the Pathfinder aircraft. These arrays provided up to 8,000 watts of power at high noon on a clear summer day. That power fed the aircraft's six electric motors as well as its avionics, communications, and other electrical systems. Pathfinder also had a backup battery system that could provide power for two to five hours, allowing for limited-duration flight after dark. Pathfinder flew at airspeeds of only 15 to 20 mph. Pitch control was maintained by using tiny elevators on the trailing edge of the wing while turns and yaw control were accomplished by slowing down or speeding up the motors on the outboard sections of the wing. On September 11, 1995, Pathfinder set a new altitude record for solar- powered aircraft of 50,567 feet above Edwards Air Force Base, California, on a 12-hour flight. On July 7, 1997, it set another, unofficial record of 71,500 feet at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii. In 1998, Pathfinder was modified into the longer-winged Pathfinder Plus configuration.
Full_Description
The Pathfinder research aircraft's wing structure was clearly defined as it soared under a clear blue sky during a test flight July 27, 1995, from Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The center section and outer wing panels of the aircraft had ribs constructed of thin plastic foam, while the ribs in the inner wing panels are fabricated from lightweight composite material. Developed by AeroVironment, Inc., the Pathfinder was one of several unmanned aircraft being evaluated under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program. Pathfinder was a lightweight, solar-powered, remotely piloted flying wing aircraft used to demonstrate the use of solar power for long- duration, high-altitude flight. Its name denotes its mission as the "Pathfinder" or first in a series of solar-powered aircraft that will be able to remain airborne for weeks or months on scientific sampling and imaging missions. Solar arrays covered most of the upper wing surface of the Pathfinder aircraft. These arrays provided up to 8,000 watts of power at high noon on a clear summer day. That power fed the aircraft's six electric motors as well as its avionics, communications, and other electrical systems. Pathfinder also had a backup battery system that could provide power for two to five hours, allowing for limited-duration flight after dark. Pathfinder flew at airspeeds of only 15 to 20 mph. Pitch control was maintained by using tiny elevators on the trailing edge of the wing while turns and yaw control were accomplished by slowing down or speeding up the motors on the outboard sections of the wing. On September 11, 1995, Pathfinder set a new altitude record for solar- powered aircraft of 50,567 feet above Edwards Air Force Base, California, on a 12-hour flight. On July 7, 1997, it set another, unofficial record of 71,500 feet at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii. In 1998, Pathfinder was modified into the longer-winged Pathfinder Plus configuration.
Full Description
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Date:
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07/27/1995
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NASA Center:
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Dryden Flight Research Center
NASA_Center
Dryden Flight Research Center
NASA Center
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Subject Category:
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Unique Aircraft
Subject_Category
Unique Aircraft
Subject Category
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Keywords:
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Dryden
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Keywords:
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Aircraft
Keywords
Aircraft
Keywords
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Keywords:
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Research
Keywords
Research
Keywords
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Keywords:
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Environmental
Keywords
Environmental
Keywords
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Keywords:
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Technology
Keywords
Technology
Keywords
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Keywords:
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and
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Keywords:
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Pathfinder
Keywords
Pathfinder
Keywords
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Keywords:
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Sensor
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Keywords:
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Solar-Powered
Keywords
Solar-Powered
Keywords
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Keywords:
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ERAST
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Audience:
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General Public
Audience
General Public
Audience
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facet_where:
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Hawaii
facet_where
Hawaii
facet_where
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facet_where:
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California
facet_where
California
facet_where
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facet_where:
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Edwards Air Force Base
facet_where
Edwards Air Force Base
facet_where
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facet_where:
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Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC)
facet_where
Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC)
facet_where
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facet_when:
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1998
facet_when
1998
facet_when
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facet_when:
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July 27, 1995
facet_when
July 27, 1995
facet_when
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facet_when:
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September 11, 1995
facet_when
September 11, 1995
facet_when
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facet_when:
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July 7, 1997
facet_when
July 7, 1997
facet_when
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facet_when:
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07-27-1995
facet_when
07-27-1995
facet_when
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facet_when_year:
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1997
facet_when_year
1997
facet_when_year
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facet_when_year:
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1998
facet_when_year
1998
facet_when_year
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facet_when_year:
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1995
facet_when_year
1995
facet_when_year
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Image #:
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EC95-43207-76
Image_#
EC95-43207-76
Image #
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original_url:
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original_url
original_url
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UID:
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SPD-GRIN-GPN-2000-00 0165
UID
SPD-GRIN-GPN-2000-00 0165
UID
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Center:
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DFRC
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Center Number:
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EC95-43207-76
Center_Number
EC95-43207-76
Center Number
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GRIN DataBase Number:
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GPN-2000-000165
GRIN_DataBase_Number
GPN-2000-000165
GRIN DataBase Number
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Creator-Photographer:
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NASA
Creator-Photographer
NASA
Creator-Photographer
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Original Source:
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DIGITAL
Original_Source
DIGITAL
Original Source
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