KOCHI: The prospects of the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research (ACARR), under the Cusat, collecting data through aerial survey have diminished, with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation delaying grant of permission to operate Russian-made aircraft M55 Geophysica for collecting aerial data over the Indian skies.
The use of M-55 Geophysica for aerial data collection is part of an international research on climate change supported by the European Union, in which the Cusat also participates.
The project, which involves 28 research institutions in 11 countries, is aimed at assessing the role of upper troposphere and stratosphere in climate change. The experiments using the aircraft are part of European research project StratoClim, for gathering reliable projections on climate change and stratospheric ozone through better understanding and improved representation of the key processes in the upper troposphere and stratosphere (UTS).
The project envisages to create a dynamic model of the atmosphere, which would enable scientists to predict climate change in the decades to come.
“The government has not turned down our proposal yet, which is pending clearance. We understand that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has cited defence and security concerns for the delay. Efforts by the research team to convince the authorities that the aircraft would be used only for research purpose did not succeed. However, the chance to get clearance for the project is very remote as the plane is registered as a defence aircraft. If we don’t get permission to operate the flight over India, the alternative is to use it over the skies of neighbouring countries. But, it will affect the quality of data,” pointed out ACAAR director K Mohan Kumar.
The StratoClim project has been planning a measurement campaign over India using the high-altitude aircraft, hoping it would bring valuable information. “If the government clears the proposal, the single-seater high-altitude aircraft would start flying next monsoon,” said Mohan Kumar.
M-55 Geophysica, a former Russian spy plane, can carry 1,500 kg of sensors. The aircraft’s payload includes instruments for characterising aerosols, ice crystals and chemical composition of gas tracers.