ACES: Cloud Electrification Data from UAV Flights Over Florida

August 2002 data collected by NASA's ALTUS uninhabited aerial vehicle (UAV) over thunderstorms in southwestern Florida. The dataset consists of sensor readings at 50Hz from seven instruments, including electric field mills, optical sensors, and magnetometers, gathered from above storms during their lifecycle. This experiment aimed to safely gather weather data and test new aircraft technology.

Use Cases

• Analyze electric field dynamics within thunderstorms based on Electric Field Mill sensor data.
• Study optical signatures of lightning pulses based on Dual Optical Pulse Sensor readings.
• Investigate atmospheric conductivity profiles based on Gerdien Conductivity Probe measurements.
• Model storm development and dissipation phases based on continuous 50Hz sensor data collected throughout flights.
• Validate UAV-based remote sensing technology for meteorological applications based on the multi-instrument payload.

Strengths

• Data collected from seven specialized instruments, providing multi-dimensional measurements.
• Continuous sensor readings at 50Hz throughout flight missions, offering high temporal resolution.
• First NASA research use of a UAV to collect cloud electrification data from above storms.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic and temporal bias inherent to a single campaign in August 2002.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Data gathered via instruments on the ALTUS uninhabited aerial vehicle during overflight missions.

Time Range

August 2002

Geography

Southwestern Florida, specifically thunderstorms over the southwestern corner.