Science for Alaska lecture: 'Alaska as Seen from an Unmanned Aircraft' April 24

Tuesday, April 24, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Rasmuson Hall, Room 110

In "Alaska as Seen from an Unmanned Aircraft," Greg Walker, manager of the Poker Flat Research Range at UAF, will discuss recent and ongoing unmanned aircraft operations that the university is conducting in Alaska. The Geophysical Institute, UAF and Alyeska Pipeline Service Co are sponsoring the lecture.

The lecture will highlight the unique capabilities and limitations of this emerging and rapidly developing technology. It will also cover recent research and systems development the university has conducted to integrate these aircraft safely into the national airspace in support of the Federal Aviation Administration and others.

In particular, the university has been identifying technical issues with operating small-unmanned aircraft in the harsh conditions in Alaska. Of specific interest is the building of survivable observation platforms for low-altitude remote sensing. This has application to studies of marine wildlife, climate change, volcanoes, oil spill response, aerial survey and emergency management.

This lecture will identify current opportunities that highlight the potential and, unfortunately, the limitations of the present technology. Future opportunities and possibilities will also be discussed.

During the lecture, several aircraft platforms that the university operates will be on display.

For more information on this lecture series, visit the Science for Alaska website.

NOTE: UAA parking is enforced to 7:30 p.m.