ED51C-0830
AEROKATS and ROVER

Friday, 18 December 2015
Poster Hall (Moscone South)
Geoff Bland1, Ted Miles2, Abhijit Nagchaudhuri3, Andy Henry4, Patrick Coronado1, Sallie Smith1, David Bydlowski4, Jonathan Gaines5 and Chris Hartman3, (1)NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, United States, (2)Zinger Enterprizes, Wallops Island, VA, United States, (3)University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD, United States, (4)Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency, Wayne, MI, United States, (5)University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
Abstract:
Two novel tools are being developed for team-based environmental and science observations suitable for use in Middle School through Undergraduate settings. Partnerships with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center are critical for this work, and the concepts and practices are aimed at providing affordable and easy-to-field hardware to the classroom.

The Advanced Earth Research Observation Kites and Atmospheric and Terrestrial Sensors (AEROKATS) system brings affordable and easy-to-field remote sensing and in-situ measurements within reach for local-scale Earth observations and data gathering. Using commercial kites, a wide variety of sensors, and a new NASA technology, AEROKATS offers a quick-to-learn method to gather airborne remote sensing and in-situ data for classroom analysis.

The Remotely Operated Vehicle for Education and Research (ROVER) project introduces team building for mission operations and research, using modern technologies for exploring aquatic environments. ROVER projects use hobby-type radio control hardware and common in-water instrumentation, to highlight the numerous roles and responsibilities needed in real-world research missions, such as technology, operations, and science disciplines.

NASA GSFC’s partnerships have enabled the fielding of several AEROKATS and ROVER prototypes, and results suggest application of these methods is feasible and engaging.

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