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MagPlane - Magnetic Mapping Mission
Mission Preparations
Extensive preparations for the mission were conducted at NASA Goddard
Space Flight Center's Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA.
Mission preparations included; instrument and data system integration, propulsion and vehicle systems integration, and flight tests.
Mission Plan
The MagPlane, piloted by Allen Lunsford at take-off, leaves from Puerto
Araona, Bolivia. Aided by GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers and
an Autopilot, the plane heads for the crater area. Reaching the Iturralde
structure after about one hour, the plane flies several passes over the
crater mapping the magnetic field with the on-board Flux Gate Magnetometer.
When the mapping mission is completed the plane heads back to Puerto Araona
for recovery.
At the heart of this mission is the unique Data System, allowing scientists with internet connections to view the data near real-time.
| Instrument Installation |
| Center of Gravity measurement |
| Weight Measurement |
| On transport vehicle |
| Flight Line |
| Test Site: Wallops Island |