Laser-based unmanned aircraft system for wind sensing

Atmospheric turbulence has a central role in the processes that take place in the atmospheric boundary layer. Yet, our knowledge of offshore turbulence characteristics is very limited. This limitation originates from the lack of field observations, since we have challenges to acquire spatially distributed turbulence measurements over the sea. This project will demonstrate the capability of a novel method to measure atmospheric turbulence. The method is based on a laser-based remote sensing sensor installed on an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). For this purpose, the world’s smallest wind lidar instrument will be developed for the first time.  This measuring technology will reveal turbulence characteristics over areas that are currently economically and technologically challenging, as is the case offshore.