These aircraft also could be used to monitor major croplands, forests and other large, remote expanses to provide early warning of crop damage or fires. We are very appreciative for NASA providing us a role in history being made in aviation and science. We need more programs like it. The program is NASA's response to growing scientific requirements for measurements at higher altitudes and durations than the current fleet of scientific platforms permits. Additional technologies considered by the joint NASA-industry Alliance include lightweight materials, avionics, sensor technology, aerodynamics, and other forms of propulsion suitable for extreme altitudes.
Pathfinder is one of several remotely piloted aircraft being evaluated under the program.
The program focuses on developing technologies required to operate slow-flying unpiloted aircraft at high altitudes. The most extreme mission envisioned for solar-powered aircraft would reach altitudes of 100,000 feet, for environmental sampling missions that last a week or longer. A remotely piloted aircraft, it can also fly autonomously to pre-selected waypoints, using GPS navigation aids. The solar arrays on the wing can provide as much as 8 kilowatts of power on a summer day to power the craft's six electric motors and other electronic systems. A backup battery provides control power up to five hours for the craft to glide home after sundown.