On Monday we conducted a fantastic series of profiles using the helikite. The conditions were slightly windy but flyable, and so Dari, Casey and I took the smaller of the two tethered balloons out to the runway to get as many measurements as possible. We were just getting the equipment out to the runway when we hear a call over the radio about a “large male polar bear” that had been spotted near the camp. Fortunately, this is where operating in such an industrialized part of the Arctic has its advantages. In an attempt to keep the energy industry’s working population safe from attack, all of the companies operating in the Prudhoe Bay area have full time security teams monitoring the area to watch for bear traffic. These teams are actively tracking bear movements and reporting on every little thing that each bear does while in the area. These reports, while somewhat comical at times (“the bear just got up and moved one foot to the west, but now he’s napping again”), are very helpful when you’re out in the open and trying to fly a giant balloon. The bear eventually made his way into the Arctic Ocean, and we were able to complete seven profiles of the atmosphere, getting valuable information on the temperature, winds and aerosol particles aloft.
The tethered balloon operation, complete with a scope to watch the napping polar bear.
The team also found out that there are a series of construction projects working around the camp in which we were staying. Unfortunately, this means that we had to change accommodations in the middle of the campaign. While it’s too bad, it is completely understandable that a business would put its own projects ahead of those of others. So, after we completed our flights for the day, we hit the road for the 1.5 hour drive back to Deadhorse, where we stayed at the Arctic Oilfield Hotel for the night.
Gijs, monitoring the flight instrumentation, altitude, and winds.
On the side of the SODA UAV flights, we are finally getting some forward traction on a chase aircraft. While it is not yet a done deal, it is possible that we’ll be able to begin flights sometime this weekend or early next week. Unfortunately, that extends beyond my planned time in the Arctic, and therefore I decided to change my flights and head home early. Chris Cox is scheduled to head up this weekend and will take over duties in the field. I’m excited for the mission to start in earnest and look forward to getting in the air (hopefully) next week!
The helikite instrumented and ready to start a profile.
