WXUAS: COST-EFFECTIVE DRONE PROFILERS FOR ROUTINE EO CALIBRATION AND VALIDATION

Speaker: Ben Pickering, Menapia Ltd., United KingdomEarth Observation (EO) data requires accurate calibration and validation (CAL/VAL), with in-situ measurements being the most reliable for atmospheric variables. Traditional methods, such as aircraft campaigns and radiosondes, are costly and impractical for routine use. This proposal suggests deploying a network of automated weather-sensing UAVs (wxUAS) to provide frequent in-situ CAL/VAL data for the lower to mid-troposphere. UAVs offer a sustainable alternative due to their reusability and recyclable batteries.