MASC3: Multi-Purpose Airborne Sensor Carrier

The current generation of RPAS (named MASC3: Multi-Purpose Airborne Sensor Carrier, Version 3) developed in Tübingen is based on the past experience with the MASC (developed by our working group) and the M2AV (Meteorological Mini Aerial Vehicle) developed at the research airport of Braunschweig. The first scientific application of these RPAS was conducted in 2005 at the meteorological observatory in Lindenberg, followed by the very first application of RPAS in Antarctica in 2008. The group also has experience in conduction experimental research near on- and offshore wind parks, demonstrating the (probably first) automatic flight of a RPAS through a wind farm near Oldenburg. The MASC3 is now operating in complex and flat terrain measureing wind fields, turbulent statistics and tip vortices of wind energy converters and has been used in the arctic regions of finland and svalbard for boundary layer research and the formation of new particles.
The group has comprehensive experience in the development and flight testing of small and light-weight meteorological sensor systems, as most of the current MASC3 payload have been developed in-house or in close cooperation with other research groups. These sensor systems comprise the measurements of the 3D wind vector, air temperature and humidity, pressure and aerosol particles at turbulent time and length scales (typically 20 Hz or 1 metre).

MASC3:                                                                                                        Sensor hat:

Exemplary Measuring Results

The stratification, hight and stability of the atmospheric boundary layer can be seen in vertical profiles (left picture) . Statistical evaluations of many flights at a potential sight for wind energy converters give a detailed insight in the flow conditions (right picture).