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Development of Waypoint Planning Tool in Response to NASA Field Campaign ChallengesAirborne real time observations are a major component of NASA's Earth Science research and satellite ground validation studies. For mission scientists, planning a research aircraft mission within the context of meeting the science objectives is a complex task because it requires real time situational awareness of the weather conditions that affect the aircraft track. Multiple aircrafts are often involved in NASA field campaigns. The coordination of the aircrafts with satellite overpasses, other airplanes and the constantly evolving, dynamic weather conditions often determines the success of the campaign. A flight planning tool is needed to provide situational awareness information to the mission scientists, and help them plan and modify the flight tracks. Scientists at the University of Alabama-Huntsville and the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center developed the Waypoint Planning Tool, an interactive software tool that enables scientists to develop their own flight plans (also known as waypoints) with point -and-click mouse capabilities on a digital map filled with real time raster and vector data. The development of this Waypoint Planning Tool demonstrates the significance of mission support in responding to the challenges presented during NASA field campaigns. Analysis during and after each campaign helped identify both issues and new requirements, and initiated the next wave of development. Currently the Waypoint Planning Tool has gone through three rounds of development and analysis processes. The development of this waypoint tool is directly affected by the technology advances on GIS/Mapping technologies. From the standalone Google Earth application and simple KML functionalities, to Google Earth Plugin and Java Web Start/Applet on web platform, and to the rising open source GIS tools with new JavaScript frameworks, the Waypoint Planning Tool has entered its third phase of technology advancement. The newly innovated, cross ]platform, modular designed JavaScript ]controlled Way Point Tool is planned to be integrated with NASA Airborne Science Mission Tool Suite. Adapting new technologies for the Waypoint Planning Tool ensures its success in helping scientists reach their mission objectives. This presentation will discuss the development processes of the Waypoint Planning Tool in responding to field campaign challenges, identify new information technologies, and describe the capabilities and features of the Waypoint Planning Tool with the real time aspect, interactive nature, and the resultant benefits to the airborne science community.
Document ID
20130008986
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Abstract
Authors
He, Matt (Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Hardin, Danny (Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Conover, Helen (Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Graves, Sara (Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Meyer, Paul (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Blakeslee, Richard (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Goodman, Michael (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 27, 2013
Publication Date
December 3, 2012
Subject Category
Earth Resources And Remote Sensing
Report/Patent Number
M12-2059
Meeting Information
Meeting: American Geophysical Union (AGU) 45th Annual Meeting
Location: San Francisco, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: December 3, 2012
End Date: December 10, 2012
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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