Over-the-horizon communications and information networks are beginning to produce sustainable capabilities for Earth science operations using advanced unpiloted vehicles. There is a growing need for affordable desktop access to globally deployable data acquisition and data processing sensor-web networks on board these airborne platforms. Central to meeting this need is further miniaturizing on-board computing, data acquisition, and satellite network communication equipment. With current technology, the associated on-board components weigh several pounds. We propose to reduce the weight to mere ounces while also lowering cost and power consumption. This will greatly expand the deployment of this technology to new-generation ultra-small unmanned air vehicles, other space and weight-constrained airborne systems, and a wide range of terrestrial applications.
