THESEUS: A New Platform for High-Altitude Atmospheric Science

空气动力学、结构、电子和推进技术的最新进展使用于大气科学研究的新一代低成本无人飞机成为可能。第一个这样的平台被命名为珀尔修斯，已经在极光飞行科学公司和哈佛大学的共同努力下开发中。珀尔修斯的锂电池推进系统将使其能够携带50公斤的化学采样有效载荷到25公里的高度。SBIR项目的目的是启动一种更大、更通用的后续平台，称为忒修斯。忒修斯平台的核心是一个固体聚合物电解质燃料电池，为电动螺旋桨提供动力。一种独特的氧化方案将允许忒修斯携带450公斤的有效载荷在20-25公里的高度飞行数千公里，并在短时间内达到40公里的高度。这架飞机打算由一个三人的现场小组操作，并由一架C-130运输机运输。由于机体和有效载荷/s的完全可重用性，忒修斯将能够执行目前在大气球或载人ER-2上飞行的几乎所有科学任务，成本明显低于目前。此外，由于其性能的提高、精确的空间和时间控制性以及操作灵活性的提高，它将使一些新的任务成为可能。

Recent advances in aerodynamic, structural, electronic, and propulsive technologies make possible a new generation of low-cost unmanned aircraft for atmospheric science research. The first such platform, designated Perseus, is already under development as a joint effort between Aurora Flight Sciences and Harvard University. Perseus' lithium battery propulsion system will enable it to carry a 50 kg chemical sampling payload to an altitude of 25km. The purpose of this SBIR program is to initiate development of a larger, more versatile follow-on platform called Theseus. The heart of the proposed Theseus platform is a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell powering an electrically driven propeller. A unique oxidation scheme will allow Theseus to carry a 450 kg payload for thousands of kilometers at an altitude of 20-25 km, and to reach altitudes as high as 40 km for brief periods. The aircraft is intended to be operable by a field team of three people and to be transported in a single C-130. Due to the complete reusability of both the airframe and the payload/s, Theseus will be capable of performing almost all of the scientific missions currently flown on large balloons or the manned ER-2, at costs significantly lower than present. In addition, it will make possible a number of new missions due to its increased performance, precise spatial and temporal controllability, and increased operational flexibility.