The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is a major scientific partner in the Mountain Wave Project (MWP) and provided a special version of its Modular Airborne Camera System (MACS) for MWPs Himalaya expedition in 2013/2014.
+++ 12.09.2014: Omega Tau Podcast online +++ 12.07.2014: New expedition video on youtube +++ 09.04.2014: MACS-Himalaya at ILA Berlin Air Show 2014 - Hall 4, Stand 4301 +++ 29.01.2014: Successfull completion of expedition in Nepal +++ 28.01.2014: Scan flights over Mount Everest, Khumbu Glacier and Khumbu Valley +++ 23.01.2014: First flight of scientific aircraft over Kali Ghandaki valley +++ 22.01.2014: Arrival of scientific equipment in Pokhara +++
You'll find current impressions from Nepal in our Aeronautics Blog.
Besides the airborne camera system the DLR will also contribute their expertise of image processing to derive various 3D data products. The results will be used for glacier monitoring and surface modeling of topographically challenging terrain around Annapurna and Mt. Everest.
Figure 1 Scientific Aircraft with MACS-Himalaya Wing Pod (Image: Lothar Schwark)
Following scientific applications are addressed using MACS-Himalaya in the Nepal campaign 2013/2014:
Digital Elevation Models and True Ortho Mosaics with exceptional resolution and highest accuracy even in deep valleys will be derived after the flight campaign using DLR developed image processing technologies. These products are required for region-specific disaster management, disaster prevention and disaster risk assessment.
Figure 2 MACS-Himalaya airborne camera system
The fully automated camera system is integrated into an wing pod of a Stemme S10 VTX motor glider. While made for altitudes of 20km (approx. 65.000ft) during the Nepal campaign flight altitudes of up to 10km are expected. Operating several cameras simultaneously, an overall aperture angle of approx. 120deg is gained providing high resolution imagery of slopes.
29.01.2014: Successfull completion of expedition in Nepal
28.01.2014: Scan flights over Mount Everest, Khumbu Glacier and Khumbu Valley
23.01.2014 - First flight of scientific aircraft over Kali Ghandaki valley
05.11.2013 - Shipping of scientific equipment from Berlin to Nepal
29.10.2013 - Launch of scientific aircraft from Strausberg to Nepal
21.08.2013 - Final test flight in the Alps
09.07.2013 - Test fligts in the Greater Aachen area
25.03.2013 - Maiden flight of airborne camera system in Strausberg
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