Unmanned Aircraft to Support Scientific Research in Mexico

May 21, 2014

Specialists from the Institute of Technology and Higher Studies (ITESO) are conducting a program for the design and manufacture of Mexican unmanned aircraft, rockets, and weather balloons. The goal is that they serve as support in scientific research as well as meteorology, and can also meet social objectives like implementation in integrated security systems, or to locate missing people in hard-to-reach areas.

Unmanned rockets, aircraft, and balloons are being developed in Mexico. (Investigación y Desarrollo)

ITESO researchers and students have developed two platforms of sensorcraft that are operated either by remote control or by an intelligent pilot. Currently, experts optimize the operating range for flight under radio control of those ships, which today has reached a kilometer. More sophisticated aircraft stabilization systems would be implemented to enable autonomous flight without dependence on radio. To achieve this goal, ITESO specialists have forged synergies with Hewlett-Packard, which will develop computer systems required by this type of aircraft.

Other developments are parallel hybrid engine design for implementation in rockets, and technology to optimize flight for weather balloons, which could be used to study phenomena such as UV or cosmic radiation.

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