Gathering Significant Wind Surface Details Within Tornadoes by OTUS Project
Got a hankerin' for some tornado science, huh? Well, buckle up and let's dive into the stunning world of the OTUS Project - the Observation of Tornadoes by UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Systems. This project’s innovation lies in deploying badass drones equipped with 3D wind sensors, baby!
Say hello to Louis Tucker, a smart cookie who graduated from Virginia Tech with a business/engineering degree. He’s also a drone racing champ, having conquered the National Collegial Drone Racing Championship in 2023. His little brother, Nelson, is a dedicated meteorology enthusiast, with a passion for epic twisters that goes all the way back to the early 1900s.
When you put these two together, what do you get? A recipe for tornado glory! With some help from a seasoned storm chaser and a brilliant aerospace engineer, the OTUS team was born. They spent two weeks last year intercepting a few twisters to test their concept and secure some initial funding. They managed to penetrate a tornado in Duke, Oklahoma, and gathered some valuable data. However, recent budget cuts to NOAA and government weather services cut their funding quite a bit.
But these rebels didn't let the setback get them down! This spring, the team stormed (pun intended) back into action, chasing and penetrating half a dozen tornadoes. One, the Spiritwood, North Dakota, wedge tornado in June, was a real beast – rated at least EF-3. Fancy that! Not even a two-pound drone could withstand those ferocious winds!
Now, you might be wondering about the EF system. Well, my friend, there's some controversy surrounding it. Currently, a rating is based on the damage a tornado does compared to its actual wind speeds. So you can end up with a violent tornado rated lower than it should be because it traveled through an unpopulated area, or vice versa. But don't worry, Tucker reckons that by measuring surface wind speeds, his group’s research could help revamp the EF system and bring it more up to speed (pun again intended).
So just how much have these geniuses invested in their research? Tucker reckons they've shelled out more than $25,000 of their own cash this year alone. They've got a documentary in the works with Paradigm Films, and a detailed report on their thermodynamics data is getting finalized this summer. Fingers crossed it will attract some more funding for next year.
One last fun fact: the video footage the OTUS team has captured is absolutely mesmerizing – never-before-seen vantage points of actual tornadoes swirling and roaring. Keep your eyes peeled for more – we're looking forward to jumping into the tornado-chasing madness with them. Part 1, this is. This’ll be one heck of a thrilling, multi-part series!
Enrichment Data:The OTUS Project contributes significantly to the understanding and prediction of tornadoes by providing real-time measurements on temperature, wind speed, humidity, and pressure from within the tornado vortex itself. This data deepens scientific knowledge of tornado behavior, enhances predictive capabilities, and supports efforts to improve building resilience against tornado damage.
- The OTUS Project's work in environmental science, including the study of tornadoes, is boosted by advanced technology and gadgets like drones equipped with 3D wind sensors.
- Science, climate change, and related fields such as meteorology and aerospace engineering are key areas of interest for individuals involved in tornado research like Louis Tucker and Jim Clash.
- The OTUS Project's groundbreaking research in tornado science can potentially revolutionize the EF tornado ratings system, making it more accurate and up-to-date.
- In addition to captivating video footage, the OTUS Project's research in severe weather also contributes to the development of gadgets and technology that can help predict and mitigate the impact of tornadoes on our environment and communities.
