Imaging aerostat – final operational tests
May 23 this year at the IUNG-PIB Agricultural Experimental Station in Grabów nad Wisłą, a team composed of specialists from GEOSYSTEMS Polska, IPPT PAN, Adaptronica Sp. z o. o., Drony.pl conducted operational tests of a tethered aerostat equipped with a specialized imaging system.
We are implementing the project as part of the NCBiR research program, TANGO 4 titled Adaptive aerostats, mounted on an SDT (Self Deployable Tensegrity) support structure, as a platform for multi-topic monitoring of the earth’s surface (Aero-SDT). Its purpose is, among others, development of a digital multispectral imaging system with remote camera control functionalities and live preview of the acquired data.
The aircraft used is a tethered helium aerostat, 12 m long and 3 m in diameter. The aerostat is able to rise with a payload of up to 8 kilograms to a height limited by the length of the anchor rope (in our case, 600 m). This lifting capacity allows the installation of a comprehensive imaging system including the MicaSense Altum multispectral camera, the required calibration sensors, a tilting arm (gimbal), GPS equipment, communication devices and an extensive battery power supply allowing for many hours of operation.
The aim of the tests was to verify the correct operation of the system at various altitudes, combined with an attempt to use the acquired multispectral imaging to assess the condition of crops, monitor changes in temperature and soil moisture, as well as the occurrence and severity of pests.
We started testing the aerostat with complete equipment in the morning, with favorable cloudless weather and little wind. The ship was raised three times to a maximum ceiling of 600 meters, with a stopping procedure every 100 meters for 10 minutes. In all trials, the camera recorded images in interval mode.
The tests showed that the system works flawlessly and the obtained material is of excellent quality. An extensive set of data was obtained from each ceiling, and performing them in series also opens the possibility of detecting changes in processes occurring in agricultural fields throughout the day.
The tests showed that the system works flawlessly and the obtained material is of excellent quality. An extensive set of data was obtained from each ceiling, and performing them in series also opens the possibility of detecting changes in processes occurring in agricultural fields throughout the day.
We would like to thank the IUNG Puławy team for providing access to the farm area and valuable substantive support, as well as all participants for their huge contribution. We also greet the friendly policemen who visited us as part of the intervention – it turned out that the large balloon aroused interest in the entire district 😉 To sum up, it was a very successful and fruitful day.
The successful implementation of the project is a contribution to presenting a new service in our offer. Meet GeoBalloon!