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Ground crewmen prepare NASA's Ikhana remotely piloted research aircraft for another flight. Ikhana's infrared imaging sensor pod is visible under the left wing. |
Photo Number: | ED08-0151-07 |
Photo Date: | July 2, 2008 |
Formats: |
640x621 JPEG Image (211 KBytes) 1280x1242 JPEG Image (611 KBytes) 3000x2910 JPEG Image (2564 KBytes) |
Photo Description: |
Ground crewmen prepare NASA's Ikhana remotely piloted research aircraft for another flight. Ikhana's infrared imaging sensor pod is visible under the left wing. |
Project Description: |
A Predator B unmanned aircraft system is being used by NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif., for a variety of environmental science and aeronautical research roles. Built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. of San Diego in 2006, the aircraft has been given the Choctaw Nation name "Ikhana" (pronounced ee-KAH-nah), which means intelligent. Designed for long-endurance, high-altitude flight, Ikhana is being flown primarily on Earth science missions under NASA's Science Mission Directorate. It is also be used for advanced aircraft systems research and technology development. As part of the Ikhana/Predator B acquisition, NASA also purchased a ground control station and satellite communication system for control of the aircraft and transmittal of research data. The ground control station is in a mobile trailer and, in addition to the pilot's "cockpit," includes computer workstations for scientists and engineers. All of the aircraft systems are mobile, making Ikhana ideal for remote studies. |
NASA Photo by: | Tony Landis |
Keywords: | Ikhana, Predator B unmanned aircraft, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc, long-endurance, high-altitude, Earth science missions |
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Last Modified: July 9, 2008 |