The ASTRA (Atmospheric Science Through Robotic Aircraft) initiative, based at the University of Southampton in the South of England, aims to show that modern rapid prototyping technologies can be used to lower the barriers to entry into the UAV world (mainly in terms of cost) for Earth scientists. Over the last few years we have developed a range of such instrument platforms, including the balloon-launched glider shown in the image above.
In the autumn we will be stepping up a gear and we are looking to broaden the team. If you'd like to spend three years designing and flying small UAVs with us for atmospheric research, see here for more info and get in touch!
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Glad you think so, Phill. One of the main attractions of 3d printing for us on this is the ability to generate highly bespoke aircraft (optimized for a specific sensor payload) quite quickly. Depending on performance requirements and scale we aim to either 3d print the airframe itself or to 3d print the foam mould of the airframe (or parts thereof).
And yes, 3-4 years industry experience/PhD is exactly the sort of person we are thinking of.
I've had a chat about this in the office today, and the salary sits in the 3-4 year industry experience range.
We all think it sounds really interesting - as an office full of structures types, we can see rapid prototyping starting to be talked about seriously for non-load bearing structures now. In fact it has been proposed on the project we are currently working on. We haven't done this in Bristol yet - Airbus France have used sintering on A380 door hinges, and we've been looking in to it for a while now. Just waiting for the right application.
Gary - I see! Well, I hope the MetOffice will remain...
Phill - understood.
@Andreas yes No1 shed has been refurbished as a trade off for the houses being allowed on part of the airfield.
My better half is from Southampton - love going to see friends in the New Forest!
Yes - you would think being paid for your hobby/passion is not a bad deal!
It was indeed at the MetOffice research station at Cardington. I wasn't aware of developments threatening the site - after all one of the airship hangars was recently refurbished, as far as I know.
Funny old world I thought this thread would have lit up with people saying wow I can earn 27,000 pounds or roughly $42000 playing around with UA. I had the pleasure of living and flying around Southampton several years ago, great place to live and work hop over to mainland Europe if you want. UA Centre of excellence happening up the road at Boscombe. Maybe everybody is quietly sending in their CV's
Was the balloon gig the one at Cardington Andras? I guess that won't be an option now the houses are going ahead.
Or, indeed, for a type willing to move to the UK for three years. We already have an American on the team :)
Wow that's an opportunity for a UK based type.