Air New Zealand recently conducted a flight from Christchurch to Nelson carrying a NASA next-generation satellite receiver.
Using direct and reflected GPS and Galileo signals, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver will collect unique environmental data to better predict storms and enable new climate change research.
Air New Zealand, which is attending the ongoing show, is the first passenger airline in the world to join a NASA earth mission, working together since 2020 on the design, installation and certification of the receiver onboard one of its Q300 aircraft.
Air New Zealand Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer Captain David Morgan says climate change is a shared challenge and the airline does not shy away from its responsibilities to address it.
“With a network stretching from Kerikeri to Invercargill and flying at an altitude of around 16,000 feet, the Q300 was the perfect aircraft to pilot this mission.”
“Flying much closer to the land and sea than NASA’s satellites, our aircraft can collect a daily feed of high-resolution, high-quality data, with significant potential for the science community.”
The University of Auckland has established a Science Payload Operations Centre to receive and process the data in what could become New Zealand’s largest source of environmental data. Project Lead, Professor Delwyn Moller, says the collaboration will put Kiwi scientists at the forefront of this emerging field.
“The data produced by this collaboration will be made publicly available, opening up a range of research possibilities, with many potential uses – from flood risk management to agriculture and resource planning.
“Air New Zealand’s commitment to the project’s success will hopefully inspire other airlines around the world to use their own aircraft for the benefit of science.”
The data collected in flight will also feed into NASA’s Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS). Dr Will McCarty, NASA’s CYGNSS Program Scientist in the agency’s Earth Science Division, says the data from Air New Zealand flights will extend the CYGNSS mission to monitor environmental changes over land.
“CYGNSS bounces GPS signals off the ocean to measure wind speeds to help predict hurricanes and cyclones. Over land, the technology can determine soil moisture levels, so it can also monitor climate change indicators such as drought, flooding and coastline erosion.
“The receiver that Air New Zealand is flying has advanced capabilities with the potential to be used for future space bound missions, so we’re excited to test these out.”
The project to fly a next-generation GNSS-R receiver on Air New Zealand’s aircraft to advance earth observation has been gifted the name Rongowai, combining the Māori words rongo (to sense) and wai (water).
Boeing aircraft will be conspicuous by their near-total absence from the show, but the American OEM is expected to walk…
Eve Air Mobility will provide an update on key program milestones, including its first full-scale prototype, at the Farnborough Air…
Boeing, which is not bringing any of its commercial jets to this year's Farnborough Airshow, will instead focus on highlighting…
Gulfstream Aerospace has appointed Smitha Hariharan as vice president and chief sustainability officer, effective immediately. In the newly created role,…
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has been upgraded to an 'A' credit rating by S&P Global Ratings, with a stable outlook.…
Qantas will likely use a North Pole route to achieve its Project Sunrise Sydney to London nonstop with the A350-1000…
Fincantieri marked an important milestone with the launch of the seventh PPA (Multipurpose Combat Ship), named "Domenico Millelire," at the…
Sierra Space Corporation, in collaboration with Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., Kanematsu Corporation, and Oita Prefecture, has announced the inclusion of…
The Malaysian Army has recently announced a tender inviting local companies to supply and deliver 800 M72 Light Anti-tank Weapon…
China has proposed supplying the Type 052D destroyer to the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) as part of a broader effort…
Following the recent signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan, reports suggest that the Philippines…
The U.S. military has awarded SRC, Inc. a contract worth USD 25 million to develop the Long-Range Radar, a large…
Australia’s largest international air combat training exercise, Exercise Pitch Black, is set to take place from 12 July to 2…
The Spanish space launcher company, PLD Space, has secured a EUR31.2 million syndicated loan with Banco Santander, EBN Banco, and…
Malaysia Airlines’ inaugural A330neo has been unveiled in Toulouse, proudly displaying the airline’s distinctive Malaysia flag livery. This milestone marks…
IFS, a Sweden-based provider of cloud and industrial AI software, has announced the acquisition of EmpowerMX - an AI-powered aviation…
The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) launched two new Dorang-class patrol vessels in Serang, Banten province, on Friday (Jul. 12). Constructed…
Vietjet, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Laos, has announced a new agreement aimed at…
China Southern Airlines (CSN) and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) have expanded their codeshare flights to encompass three new routes: Guangzhou-Penang, Kuala…
Saudi Arabia has ordered four additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for the Royal Saudi Arabia Air…
Embraer's brand-new E-Freighter, the E190F, will make its first public appearance at the Farnborough International Airshow that will take place…
WestJet Cargo has announced the launch of its new Campus'Air service, aimed at providing affordable shipping solutions for students and…
SITA has reported a record revenue of nearly US$ 1.5 billion for 2023, marking a 7% increase from the previous…
ASELSAN achieved a significant milestone in its space research and satellite payload development with the successful launch of the TURKSAT-6A…
Japan and the Philippines have formalised a defence pact through the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), aimed at facilitating joint exercises…
Indonesia is set to deploy missiles around strategic choke points along its sea lanes, as announced by the Acting Secretary…
From July 22-26, ZeroAvia will be back at historic Farnborough embracing 120 years of aviation innovation, and showcasing the company's…
Commtact Ltd., a provider of advanced wireless communication solutions for defence, security forces, and robotic platforms, has been awarded a…
Garuda Indonesia (GIA) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) received the green light from the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS)…
Philippine Airlines (PAL) reopened its Clark - Basco route on Tuesday (Jul. 2). The event was attended by airline officials…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.