Conference 7.286::space

837.0. "High-flying Perseus research aircraft ready for rollout" by PRAGMA::GRIFFIN (Dave Griffin) Thu Dec 17 1992 10:47

[Not quite a SPACE topic, I realize... -dg]

Drucella Andersen
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                    December 16, 1992

Alice Ann Toole
Aurora Flight Sciences Corp., Manassas, Va.



RELEASE:  92-227


        NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin will make the keynote speech when a
high-flying, unpiloted NASA atmospheric research aircraft called Perseus is
unveiled in Manassas, Va., on Dec. 18.

        When Perseus starts to fly science missions in 1994, it will gather
data to improve knowledge on the atmosphere at very high altitudes, including
the possible effect of exhaust emissions from next-generation supersonic
airliners.

        "Perseus is going to be a valuable new tool for many areas of
atmospheric research, especially understanding the processes that control
stratospheric ozone levels, so NASA and industry can produce future supersonic
transports that are both environmentally safe and economically competitive."

        Perseus, designed and built for NASA by Aurora Flight Sciences Corp.,
Manassas, Va., is the first aircraft designed specifically for atmospheric
science.  It will carry up to 110 pounds (50 kilograms) of instruments to a
maximum altitude of 82,000 feet (25 kilometers).

        Much of Perseus' technology derives from sport aviation and the record-
breaking Daedalus human-powered aircmodeled on the Daedalus design, which had
excellent aerodynamic performance.  The plane is made of lightweight composite
materials, much like sailplanes or gliders.

        Perseus' engine is based on the 4-cycle, 4-cylinder Rotax engine that
powers ultralight aircraft around the world, but is highly modified to burn a
mixture of gasoline and oxygen diluted by recirculated exhaust gas.  Aurora
developed the engine under a $500,000 NASA Small Business Innovation Research
grant.

        Perseus also is breaking new ground in other technologies like the
onboard computer which will guide many of its flights using preprogrammed
flight plans.  The autopilot will keep track of the plane's location via
signals from the Global Positioning System constellation of navigation
satellites.

        NASA has ordered two Perseus aircraft from Aurora Flight Sciences.
Successful research missions by the planes could lead to more general use of
advanced unpiloted aircraft for Earth science studies.

        "Perseus is not only going to do science to improve the environment,
but also is building an important new industry for the future," said Aurora
Flight Sciences President John Langford. "It is key to a new generation of in
situ measurement platforms that will lead to discoveries in areas such as
atmospheric science, global warming and the forecasting of severe storms."