Aerial Mapping

Introduction

For this activity, we used a large inflatable balloon to do some aerial photography and also got a preview of how aerial photography can be done with UAV systems.  

Methods

For the balloon, we inflated it with helium to around five feet in diameter.  When this happened it was let out on a string and a camera was attached to it.  The string was then lot out a great deal more.  When the balloon was about 500 feet up in the air and the camera set to take pictures at a certain interval, we were ready to begin mapping.  We wanted to get a large area for this activity and the best way to do that was to just start walking with the balloon string in hand.  We walked all over the course, starting with a perimeter path and then crossing through the middle.  When we thought that we had covered the right amount of area we returned to our starting location, brought the balloon back down, and deflated it. 

The balloon being inflated.

The camera rig which will be attached with the yellow strings to the balloon string.

The balloon is airborne, with the camera rig attached.

For the UAV, there are many important details to have in mind.  The flight path of the UAV is programmed on computer with Mission Planner software. When setting up the waypoints that the craft is to follow, first create the take-off point.  Next, plot your waypoints on the map.  Finally, make sure to put a "return to home" point so that when the aircraft is done with its route it returns to the point where it took off from.  When it does land, be sure to hit the kill-switch button on the remote.  Failure to do so can be bad if you try to pick up the aircraft and it tries to return to the ground while you are holding it. 

It is important that you do not attempt to run a mission alone.  Two people can run a mission together but three are ideal: a pilot at controls, a pilot in command, and an engineer.  The pilot at controls stands by the laptop computer and monitors the status of everything.  The pilot in command holds the remote, and has manual control over the aircraft.  This task is very important and difficult.  Lastly, the engineer is on hand to fix any problems that arise with the controls or the aircraft.

We were able to see a mission get programmed with the take off point, 11 waypoints, and a return to home point, and then watch it unfold.  There was a camera mounted on the bottom of the aircraft set to take pictures at a set interval, similar to the balloon exercise.

The three-armed UAV, the remote control, and the laptop that were used.

A better view of the laptop running the Mission Planner software.

One of the shots taken by the UAV on its flight.  The resolution is excellent.