Nephelae CAMS¶

This wiki describes the LAAS contribution to the Nephelae project, i.e. the mapping system, the graphical interface and the various APi's used to link with the Paparazzi framework and the MesoNH atmospheric simulations.

About the Nephelae project¶

Atmospheric models still suffer from a gap between ground-based and satellite measurements. As a consequence, the impacts of clouds on our climate remain one of the largest uncertainties in numerical weather prediction (NWP) and in understanding climate change. The main goal of the Nephelae project is to fill that gap by acquiring micro-physical atmospheric measures inside clouds by the means of a fleet of Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs) simultaneously flying inside a target cloud. More information about the project's vision can be found on the ANR website.

Partners¶

• CNRM (Project Coordinator): Provider of expertise on atmospheric phenomenons and exploitation of UAVs for atmospheric measurements. They also provide the sensors embedded into the UAVs measuring cloud properties. More information about the operations carried out by this partner.
• ENAC: Design and manufacturing of a new UAV model built specifically for cloud exploration. Operation of UAV fleets with the Paparazzi framework, which includes an on-board autopilot software and a ground control software built for operator to supervise the fleet.
• LAAS: Design and programming of a real-time cloud mapping system that aims to provide operators with a graphical feedback of the cloud mapping process, maps of the observed clouds and and the current state of fleet operations. The user interface also accepts operator inputs to create and adapt UAV flight plans in order to maximize data acquisition of target clouds. Currently mission planning is manual but in the future this process will be autonomous guided by user requirements.