Pathfinder is now being prepared to monitor coral reef degradation and deforestation around the island of Kauai. Remotely piloted aircraft similar to Pathfinder could spend long periods of time over the ocean monitoring storm developments to provide more accurate predictions of hurricanes. 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. 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. The solar arrays on the wing can provide as much as 7,200 watts of power at high noon on a summer day to power the craft's six electric motors and other electronic systems. A backup battery system can provide power for up to five hours to fly the craft after sundown. After completion of low-level system checks, Pathfinder began climbing.