russian high-altitude m- 55 “geophysica” aircraft. past ... · russian high-altitude m- 55...

Russian high-altitude M- 55 “Geophysica” aircraft. Past experiences in stratospheric research and future perspectives

(1993 – 2006 )

History of M-55 “Geophysica “ aircraftHistory of M-55 “Geophysica “ aircraft

The M-55 “Geophysica” aircraft is manufactured by The M-55 “Geophysica” aircraft is manufactured by Myasischev Design Bureau ( MDB). Myasischev Design Bureau ( MDB). The M-55 was first The M-55 was first known as the M-17. Itknown as the M-17. It’’s life began in s life began in 1978, 1978, when Soviet when Soviet engineers searched for ways to intercept American engineers searched for ways to intercept American unmanned reconnaissance unmanned reconnaissance ballons.ballons. The first flight of the M- The first flight of the M-17 was 17 was 26 May 198226 May 1982..

The M-17 set 25 The M-17 set 25 world recordsworld records for its class. However, this for its class. However, this balloon-interceptor model was terminated in balloon-interceptor model was terminated in 19871987 and and replaced by the M-17RN, also known as the M-55 replaced by the M-17RN, also known as the M-55 Geophysica. The first one of these flew in Geophysica. The first one of these flew in 1988,1988, but as the but as the Soviet Union collapsed, military demand dropped. In Soviet Union collapsed, military demand dropped. In 19941994, , the reconnaissance version was terminated after only five the reconnaissance version was terminated after only five aircraft built.aircraft built.

On March 1993 the Russian Government gave permit to the On March 1993 the Russian Government gave permit to the Ministry of Defense of Russia for using of M-Ministry of Defense of Russia for using of M-55 55 aircraft for aircraft for civilian purposes. One of the aircraft has got the name M-55 civilian purposes. One of the aircraft has got the name M-55 “Geophysica” with the number 55204 ( “Geophysica” with the number 55204 (s/n RF-55204s/n RF-55204).).

Demonstration flight of Demonstration flight of М-55 М-55 “Geophysica“Geophysica»» aircraft in Champino, aircraft in Champino,

Italy, November, 1993 Italy, November, 1993

August 1991, scientific workshop in Sicilia , Italy. August 1991, scientific workshop in Sicilia , Italy. It was firstly proposed by L. Sokolov, General Designer It was firstly proposed by L. Sokolov, General Designer of MDB to use Russian high - altitude aircraft M-55 for of MDB to use Russian high - altitude aircraft M-55 for stratospheric research.stratospheric research.

November 1993, the aircraftM-55 number 55204 was November 1993, the aircraftM-55 number 55204 was presented firstly in Italy, Champino.presented firstly in Italy, Champino.

Experts, including atmospheric scientists from Italy, Experts, including atmospheric scientists from Italy, Germany and some other European countries, were Germany and some other European countries, were impressed by flight performances of that plane. impressed by flight performances of that plane.

Test pilot V. Arkhipenko in Champino, Italy, November Test pilot V. Arkhipenko in Champino, Italy, November 19931993

Demonstration of M-55 in aviashow Berlin, GermanyDemonstration of M-55 in aviashow Berlin, GermanyMay 1994May 1994

M-55 GeoM-55 Geophysica, physica, s/n RF-55204 s/n RF-55204 have been presented in have been presented in BerlinBerlin, , GermanyGermany, May 1994 , May 1994

Several scientific workshops and Several scientific workshops and meetings took place in Europe meetings took place in Europe and in Russia duing 1993-1995).and in Russia duing 1993-1995).

Joint Russian – Italian project Joint Russian – Italian project Airborne Polar Experiment has Airborne Polar Experiment has been started in August 1995. been started in August 1995. ENEA, Italy provided financial ENEA, Italy provided financial support to MDB for the aircraft support to MDB for the aircraft modification and logistics. modification and logistics.

PNRA (Programma Nazionale di PNRA (Programma Nazionale di Ricerche in Antartide ), CNR, ASI Ricerche in Antartide ), CNR, ASI and many Italian research and many Italian research institutions and universities were institutions and universities were involved in this project for involved in this project for developing of airborne developing of airborne instrumentsinstruments and atmospheric and atmospheric research.research.

Developing of high altitude flying laboratory, Developing of high altitude flying laboratory, based on M-55 “Geophysica” aircraft. Airborne Polar based on M-55 “Geophysica” aircraft. Airborne Polar

Experiment Project 1995-1997Experiment Project 1995-1997

Financial support of APE project :Financial support of APE project :ENEA, CNR, ASI, Italy ENEA, CNR, ASI, Italy European Science Foundation ( ESF)European Science Foundation ( ESF)European Commission ( EC, DGXII, Science European Commission ( EC, DGXII, Science Research & Development)Research & Development)APE- participants:APE- participants:Myasischev Design Bureau, RussiaMyasischev Design Bureau, RussiaCentral Aerological Observatory, RussiaCentral Aerological Observatory, RussiaInstitute of Space Research, RussiaInstitute of Space Research, RussiaIROE-CNR, ISAO-CNR, INOA-CNR, ItalyIROE-CNR, ISAO-CNR, INOA-CNR, ItalyUniversity Roma, University dell Aquilla, ItalyUniversity Roma, University dell Aquilla, ItalyMax-Plank Institute of Chemistry, GermanyMax-Plank Institute of Chemistry, GermanyForschentrum Juelich, GermanyForschentrum Juelich, GermanyForschentrum Karlsruhe, GermanyForschentrum Karlsruhe, GermanyUniversity of Cambridge, United KingdomUniversity of Cambridge, United KingdomObservatory Cantonal Neuchatel, SwitzerlandObservatory Cantonal Neuchatel, SwitzerlandStokholm University, SwedenStokholm University, SwedenNorwegian Institute for Air Research, Norway Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Norway Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finland Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finland

Antarctic Project ENEA. Test campaign in Pratica di Antarctic Project ENEA. Test campaign in Pratica di Mare, ItalyMare, Italy

October 1996October 1996

Military aeroport Pratica di Mare Military aeroport Pratica di Mare (Rome), Italy.(Rome), Italy. October 29, 1996 - October 29, 1996 - December 04, 1996December 04, 1996

Coordinated by Giuseppe De Rossi Coordinated by Giuseppe De Rossi (ENEA).(ENEA).

Support of ENAV (Ente Nazionale Support of ENAV (Ente Nazionale Assistenza al Volo) and RAI Assistenza al Volo) and RAI (Registro Aeronautico Italiano )(Registro Aeronautico Italiano )

Test pilot V. VasenkovTest pilot V. Vasenkov

Number of flights - 4 flights Number of flights - 4 flights

Total duration of flights - 15 hoursTotal duration of flights - 15 hours

The Airborne Polar Experiment-Polar Ozone, Leewaves, The Airborne Polar Experiment-Polar Ozone, Leewaves, Chemistry and Transport (APE-POLECATChemistry and Transport (APE-POLECAT ), Rovaniemi, ), Rovaniemi,

Finland, December 1996- January 1997Finland, December 1996- January 1997

MMission took place between December ission took place between December 19, 1996, and January 16, 1997. 19, 1996, and January 16, 1997.

APE was cAPE was coordinated by oordinated by DrDr. . L Leopoldo eopoldo Stefanutti (Stefanutti (IROE,IROE, Italy), Italy),

POLECAT POLECAT was coordinated was coordinated by by DrDr.. T Thomas homas Peter (Peter ( MMPIPI, Germany, Germany ) )

Mission scientist - Mission scientist - Dr RDr Rob ob MacKenzie MacKenzie ((CambridgeCambridge University University, UK) , UK)

Test pilot – V. VasenkovTest pilot – V. VasenkovNumber of flights- Number of flights- 9 flights 9 flights Total duration of flights - 38 hoursTotal duration of flights - 38 hours

Test campaign in Zhukovskii, Russia, Test campaign in Zhukovskii, Russia, December 02-06, 1998December 02-06, 1998

Ground and test flights with MIPAS –Ground and test flights with MIPAS –CTR instrument aboard of M-55 CTR instrument aboard of M-55 “Geophysica” aircraft .“Geophysica” aircraft .

Principal Investigator of the MIPAS-CTR Principal Investigator of the MIPAS-CTR instrument Dr. Cornelius Blom ( FZK, instrument Dr. Cornelius Blom ( FZK, Germany)Germany)Test pilots- O. Shepetkov,Test pilots- O. Shepetkov,

V. PavlovV. Pavlov

Number of flights – 3 flightsNumber of flights – 3 flights

Total duration of flights - 8 hoursTotal duration of flights - 8 hours

TC-2 Extended Test Campaign, Forli, ItalyTC-2 Extended Test Campaign, Forli, ItalyDecember 1998- January 1999December 1998- January 1999

Ground and flight tests of new scientific instruments before APE-THESEO aircraft mission in Mahe, Seyshells.Coordinated by oordinated by DrDr. . L Leopoldo eopoldo Stefanutti Stefanutti (( IROE, IROE, Italy Italy ),),

Test pilot - O. Shepetkov

Number of flights - 7 flights

Total duration of flights - 24,5 hours

APE – THESEOAPE – THESEOAirborne Polar Experiment – Airborne Polar Experiment –

Third European Stratospheric Experiment on Ozone, Third European Stratospheric Experiment on Ozone, Mahe, Seychelles, February 1999 – March 1999Mahe, Seychelles, February 1999 – March 1999

MMission took place between ission took place between February February 1991999 – March 9 – March 1991999.9.

CoCoordinated byordinated by DrDr. . L L. . Stefanutti Stefanutti ( ( IROE, IROE, Italy Italy ))

Mission scientist - Mission scientist - DrDr.. R Rob ob MacKenzie MacKenzie ( (CambridgeCambridge University University, UK) , UK)

Test pilots – O. ShepetkovTest pilots – O. Shepetkov A. BeschastnovA. Beschastnov

Number of flights- Number of flights- 13 flights 13 flights

Total duration of flights – 64,5 Total duration of flights – 64,5 hourshours

APE-GAIA - Airborne Polar Experiment – Geophisica APE-GAIA - Airborne Polar Experiment – Geophisica Aircraft In AntarcticaAircraft In Antarctica Ushuaia ,ArgentinaUshuaia ,Argentina

SeptemberSeptember - - OctoberOctober 1999 1999

Mission took place in Ushuaia, Argentina Principal Investigator Dr. Bruno Carli, Dr.Cornelius Blom,Coordinated by Mr. De RossiMission scientist –Dr. Rob Mackenzi(University Cambridge, UK )

Test pilots- O. Shepetkov A. BeschastnovNumber of flights- 21 flights

Total duration - 84,5 hours

70 scientists from 11 countries ( Russia, Italy, 70 scientists from 11 countries ( Russia, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Finland, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Chili ,USA ) were Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Chili ,USA ) were involved at APE-GAIA aircraftinvolved at APE-GAIA aircraft mission.mission.

Scientific measurements were carried out also Scientific measurements were carried out also during transit flight of M-55 from Moscow to during transit flight of M-55 from Moscow to Ushuaia and back.Ushuaia and back.

Flights of M-55 during Antarctic “ozone hole”Flights of M-55 during Antarctic “ozone hole”Ushuaia, Argentina, September –October 1999 Ushuaia, Argentina, September –October 1999

Aircraft in- situ measurements of ozone concentration and water Aircraft in- situ measurements of ozone concentration and water vapor at altitude about 17 km outside and inside of polar vortex vapor at altitude about 17 km outside and inside of polar vortex during Antarctic “ozone hole” . during Antarctic “ozone hole” .

Test campaign in Zhukovskii, RussiaTest campaign in Zhukovskii, RussiaOctober 22-26, 2001October 22-26, 2001

Ground and flight tests of SIOUX and HALOX scientific instruments.

Coordinated by oordinated by DrDr. h. Schlager and Dr. F. Stroch. h. Schlager and Dr. F. Stroch (( DLR, FZJ, DLR, FZJ, Germany Germany ))

Test pilot - Roman Taskaev



Ground Tests in MDB, Zhukovskii, RussiaGround Tests in MDB, Zhukovskii, RussiaOctober 22-26, 2001October 22-26, 2001

Envisat test Envisat test && validation campaign, Forli, Italy validation campaign, Forli, ItalyJuly 2002July 2002

Flight tests of new SIOUX and HALOX scientific instruments. Validation of ENVISAT data.

Coordinated by oordinated by DrDr. h. Schlager and Dr. F. Stroch. h. Schlager and Dr. F. Stroch (( DLR, FZJ, DLR, FZJ, Germany Germany ))

Test pilot - O.Shepetkov, R. Taskaev



ENVISAT Mid Latitude, Forli, ItalyENVISAT Mid Latitude, Forli, ItalyOctober 2002October 2002

Flight tests of MIPAS scientific instrument.

Coordinated by oordinated by DrDr. Cornelius Blom . Cornelius Blom (( FZK, FZK, Germany Germany ))

Test pilot - R. Taskaev



EUPLEXEUPLEXEuropean polar stratospheric cloud and lee wave European polar stratospheric cloud and lee wave

experiment, Kiruna, Swedenexperiment, Kiruna, SwedenJanuary 2003- February 2003January 2003- February 2003

400 scientists from 11 countries: 400 scientists from 11 countries: Russia, Italy, Germany, USA, United Russia, Italy, Germany, USA, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Finland, Kingdom, Switzerland, Finland, Canada, Sweden, Iceland. Japan Canada, Sweden, Iceland. Japan were involved at aircraftwere involved at aircraft EUPLEX EUPLEX mission. 27 scientific instruments mission. 27 scientific instruments aboard of M-55 Geophysica aircraft.aboard of M-55 Geophysica aircraft.2000 kg - total scientific payload 2000 kg - total scientific payload aboard of M-55 “Geophysica” aboard of M-55 “Geophysica” aircraft.aircraft.

The The M-55 M-55 Geophysica, a uniquely Geophysica, a uniquely flexible twin engined high altitude flexible twin engined high altitude platformplatform. . Because of the basic Because of the basic ruggedness and reliability of a twin ruggedness and reliability of a twin engined aircraft a great flexibility of engined aircraft a great flexibility of operation is available. This allows operation is available. This allows flight planning to safely direct the flight planning to safely direct the aircraft through areas of active lee aircraft through areas of active lee waves that similar research aircraft, waves that similar research aircraft, e.g. the NASA ER-2, have been e.g. the NASA ER-2, have been unable to penetrate due to safety unable to penetrate due to safety considerations. Given the unique considerations. Given the unique flight paths that flight paths that waswas flown the data flown the data obtained from several instruments obtained from several instruments wwereere uniquely useful for the uniquely useful for the interpretation of multiphase interpretation of multiphase processing in PSC.processing in PSC.

Mission took place in Kiruna, Sweden Principal Investigator Dr. Fred Stroch ( FZJ, Germany)Mission scientist –Dr. Rob Mackenzi(University Cambridge, UK )

Test pilots- O. Shepetkov O. Kononenko

Number of flights- 11 flights

Total duration - 49 hours

Pilot Oleg Kononenko Pilot Oleg Kononenko

ENVISAT Arctic validation campaign, Kiruna, SwedenENVISAT Arctic validation campaign, Kiruna, SwedenFebruary - March 2003February - March 2003

Mission took place in Kiruna, Sweden ENVISAT validation dataPrincipal Investigator: Dr. K. Blom ( FZK, Germany)




TROCCINOXTROCCINOX Tropical Convection, Cirrus and Nitrogen Oxides Tropical Convection, Cirrus and Nitrogen Oxides

Experiment, Oberfaffenhofen, Germany, Experiment, Oberfaffenhofen, Germany, Aracatuba, BrazilAracatuba, Brazil

January - February 2005January - February 2005

Mission took place in Aracatubo, Brazil Principal Investigator - Prof. Dr. U. Schumann ( DLR, Germany )Mission scientist - Dr. H. Schlager ( DLR, Germany )




Hard work in Aracatubo, BrazilHard work in Aracatubo, Brazil

Test campaign TC-5, Oberfaffenhofen, Germany Test campaign TC-5, Oberfaffenhofen, Germany July 2005July 2005

Flight tests of CRISTA and MARSHALLS scientific instruments.

Coordinated by oordinated by DrDr. F. Stroch . F. Stroch (( FZJ, FZJ, Germany Germany ))

Test pilot - O. Shepetkov



SCOUT – O3 Stratosphere-Climate Links With Emphasis SCOUT – O3 Stratosphere-Climate Links With Emphasis on the UTLS, Darwin, Australiaon the UTLS, Darwin, Australia

October - November 2005 October - November 2005

Mission took place in Darwin, Australia Principal Investigator - Dr. Cornelius Shiller ( FZJ, Germany )




АММААММА – SCOUT O3 - EUFAR – SCOUT O3 - EUFARAfrican Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses, African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses,

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso July-August 2006Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso July-August 2006

Mission took place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Africa Principal Investigator - Dr. Francesco Cairo (ISAC-CNR, Italy )Test pilot- O. Shepetkov

Number of flights- 12 flightsTotal duration - 46 hours

SUMMARYSUMMARY

191 flight of M-55 “Geophysica” aircraft 191 flight of M-55 “Geophysica” aircraft ( 1993- 2006)( 1993- 2006) - 76 transit flights, - 76 transit flights, - 115 scientific flights - 115 scientific flights 703 flight hours 19 minute - Total 703 flight hours 19 minute - Total duration of flights duration of flights 8 scientific international projects8 scientific international projectsAll missions were carried out All missions were carried out successfully!!successfully!!

July 19, 2004 July 19, 2004 President Vladimir Putin and pilot Oleg Shepetkov – awarded as President Vladimir Putin and pilot Oleg Shepetkov – awarded as

Hero of the Russian Federation Hero of the Russian Federation

M -55 “Geophysica” aircraft over the M -55 “Geophysica” aircraft over the worldworld

Future perspectives for high altitude platforms

*Stratospheric research*Stratospheric research*Remote sounding and mapping of the Earth surface*Remote sounding and mapping of the Earth surface*Development of new long range stratospheric aircraft*Development of new long range stratospheric aircraft based on M-55 “Geophysica” plane as prototype based on M-55 “Geophysica” plane as prototype *Launching of micro-satellites with weight about 100 kg*Launching of micro-satellites with weight about 100 kg*Multi-use spacecraft complex for suborbital flights*Multi-use spacecraft complex for suborbital flights*Airborne telecommunication systems*Airborne telecommunication systems

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