NASA Centurion

Centurion
Centurion takes off from Dryden in December, 1998
Role Remote controlled UAV
Manufacturer AeroVironment
Primary user NASA ERAST Program
Number built 1
Developed from NASA Pathfinder
Developed into NASA Helios

The NASA Centurion was the third aircraft developed as part of an evolutionary series of solar- and fuel-cell-system-powered unmanned aerial vehicles. AeroVironment, Inc. developed the vehicles under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program. They were built to develop the technologies that would allow long-term, high-altitude aircraft to serve as "atmospheric satellites", to perform atmospheric research tasks as well as serve as communications platforms.[1] It was developed from the NASA Pathfinder Plus aircraft and was developed into the NASA Helios.

Centurion

Quarter scale model of Centurion

Centurion, originally built for the 100,000 feet (30,000 m) altitude on solar power milestone specified by the ERAST project, was the third generation aircraft in the NASA Pathfinder series of electrical-powered flying wing unmanned aircraft. The ERAST program managers had determined that an aircraft based on the Pathfinder/Pathfinder Plus concept would be the lowest risk approach of achieving the altitude goal.[2]

Initially, a quarter-scale model of the Centurion was test flown at El Mirage Dry Lake on March 4, 1997. The full-size Centurion's maiden flight took place at Rogers Dry Lake on November 10, 1998, and lasted a total of 1 hr and 24 minutes. At the time, it weighed in at 1,385 pounds (628.2 kg) (including a 150 pounds (68.0 kg) steel anvil hanging on its centerline to simulate a payload) for its first flight. The flight was nearly flawless and was followed by a second similar performance on November 19, this time before a crowd of VIPs and Media. It lasted 1 hr and 29 minutes. The third and final flight of the low altitude test series took place on December 3. On this flight the vehicle was loaded down to its maximum gross weight of 1,806 pounds (819.2 kg) to test its weight carrying capability. Total flight time on this flight was 30 minutes, as it was shortened because high winds were anticipated by mid-morning. All of these flights took place on battery power and verified the design's handling qualities, performance, and structural integrity. Following these three flights, NASA decided to expand the aircraft into the Helios Prototype, with work starting in January, 1999.[1][2]

Aircraft description

The design of Centurion resulted in an aircraft that looked very much like the Pathfinder, but with a much longer wingspan of 206 feet (63 m). Although the Centurion shape resembled the Pathfinder, the structure was designed to be stronger and capable of carrying numerous payloads (up to 600 pounds (272.2 kg)) more efficiently. Its wing incorporated a redesigned high-altitude airfoil and the span was increased to 206 feet (63 m). The number of motors was increased to 14 and the number of underwing pods to carry batteries, flight control system components, ballast, and landing gear rose to four.[2]

Specifications

Solar Aircraft Evolution through the ERAST Program
Specifications[1][3][4][5]
  Pathfinder Pathfinder-Plus Centurion Helios HP01 Helios HP03
Length ft(m) 12 (3.6) 12 (3.6) 12 (3.6) 12 (3.6) 16.5 (5.0)
Chord ft(m) 8 (2.4)
Wingspan ft(m) 98.4 (29.5) 121 (36.3) 206 (61.8) 247 (75.3)
Aspect ratio 12 to 1 15 to 1 26 to 1 30.9 to 1
Glide ratio 18 to 1 21 to 1 ? ? ?
Airspeed kts(km/h) 15–18 (27–33) 16.5–23.5 (30.6–43.5) ?
Max altitude ft(m) 71,530 (21,802) 80,201 (24,445) n/a 96,863 (29,523) 65,000 (19,812)
Empty Wt lb(kg) ? ? ? 1,322 (600) ?
Max. weight lb(kg) 560 (252) 700 (315) ±1,900 (±862) 2,048 (929) 2,320 (1,052)
Payload lb(kg) 100 (45) 150 (67,5) 100–600 (45–270) 726 (329) ?
Engines electric, 2 hp (1.5 kW) each
No. of engines 6 8 14 14 10
Solar pwr output (kW) 7.5 12.5 31 ? 18.5
Supplemental power batteries batteries batteries Li batteries Li batteries, fuel cell

See also

References

This article contains material that originally came from the web article "Unmanned Aerial Vehicles" by Greg Goebel, which exists in the Public Domain.  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 NASA Helios factsheet
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 NASA Centurion fact sheet, archived at archive.org, accessed September 8, 2008
  3. ↑ NASA Pathfinder fact sheet, archived at archive.org
  4. ↑ Investigation of the Helios Prototype Aircraft Mishap – Volume 1, T.E. Noll et al., January 2004
  5. ↑ NASA Centurion Fact Sheet archived at archive.org

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Helios aircraft.