UAS Gamma Ray Spectrometer Sensor Calibration at Grand Junction Regional Airport, CO

Detailed Description: 

Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS, also known as drones) safely cover the gap between collecting data with crewed aircraft and field personnel on the ground. They also reduce, and potentially eliminate, the need for personnel to walk, hike, and climb in unsafe terrain and environments where data collection is required. During 2023 to 2026, teams from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) and Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center (GGGSC) have been learning how to collect radiometric data with Medusa MS-350 and MS-1000 Gamma Ray Spectrometer sensors mounted on UAS. These sensors can detect natural and man-made radiation from the upper layers of soil, helping teams map geology, mineral composition, and potential contamination with high precision. 

The Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) has concrete pads built into the tarmac containing known concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials including Potassium, Thorium, and Uranium. These pads provide a safe and controlled environment for radiometric calibration. In coordination with GJT, a variety of UAS transect spacings, altitudes, and directions were flown over radioelement calibration pads built into the tarmac at the airport. This will allow researchers to calculate height attenuation coefficients that can be applied to gamma ray sensor measurements recorded at USGS field sites for critical mineral mapping applications. 

A certificate of authorization (COA) was obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration, authorizing the USGS to operate UAS at GJT. 

Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.    

Time Stamps: 

00:05{{ }}UAS carrying Medusa MS-1000 Gamma Ray Spectrometer taking off.  

00:15{{ }}UAS hovering above a radioelement calibration pad at Grand Junction Airport.  

00:22{{ }}Remote pilot flying the UAS over several radioelement calibration pads at Grand Junction Airport.  

00:52{{ }}UAS hovering above a radioelement calibration pad at Grand Junction Airport. 

01:40{{ }}UAS flying a transect over several radioelement calibration pads at Grand Junction Airport.  

03:38{{ }}UAS flying over several radioelement calibration pads at Grand Junction Airport.