A low-cost control system for a high-altitude UAV

The BIG BLUE project at the University of Kentucky is a test bed UAV for Mars airplane technology. A major focus of the BIG BLUE effort has been the development of a low-cost and light-weight avionics, control, and communication system to manage the aircraft and correspond with ground stations. BIG BLUE I, launched in May 2003, achieved the first successful deployment of inflatable/rigidizable wings at altitude. BIG BLUE II, launched in May 2004, had a flight-ready fuselage and control system. This paper(1,2) describes the BIG BLUE project detailing the design and implementation of the avionics, control, and communication system.