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[MIS19-07] Experiments on intentional induction of winter lightning by drones
Keywords:Experiments on intentional induction of lightning, Drone, High voltage switch
Abstract
We are investigating lightning strike control technology that directs lightning strikes to safe locations as a new method of lightning protection.[1] If lightning control technology can generate lightning at the intended location and timing and direct it to a safe location, it can significantly reduce the damage caused by lightning strikes to infrastructure and other facilities. NTT Space Environment Energy Laboratory is conducting research on inducing lightning strikes by drones flown over important buildings, facilities, and cities, and guiding them to safe locations. In addition, they are also studying technologies to effectively utilize the induced lightning as energy. [2] In this paper, we report on experiments in which we intentionally induced and guided lightning using a drone that can continue to fly even after being struck by lightning. [3] This experiment was conducted from December 2024 to January 2025 at an altitude of 900 m in the mountains of Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, to verify a drone induced lightning technique. In this experiment, a field mill was used to observe the electric field on the ground, and the drone hovered at an altitude of 300 m when the electric field strength in the surrounding area increased. The drone and the ground were connected by conductive enamel wires, and a high-voltage switch was installed on the ground side. [4][5] When a thundercloud approached the experimental area, the drone was made to hover at the timing when the electric field strength observed by the field mill reached +3.7 kV/m, the switch was turned from OFF to ON, and the drone was connected to the ground. As a result, this experiment was the world's first successful drone induced lightning. This is because we confirmed that a large current flowed through the enameled wire, and at the same time, bursting sound, light emission, and burnout of the enameled wire, and switch were observed. In addition, we confirmed that the drone equipped with a lightning-resistant cage continued to fly stably after the lightning induced. It was confirmed that a voltage of approximately 2.0 kV was generated between the enamel wires and the ground immediately before the lightning was induced. It is thought that lightning was induced in the drone by breaking through the influence of the corona charge layer near the drone in the sky by rapidly changing the equipotential surface through remote operation of the switch.
Reference
[1] Wang, et al., 30th ICLP, paper No.730, 2010.
[2] A. Nagao. et al. “Fundamental Study on method of Generating Compressed Air by Utilizing the Electromagnetic Force Caused by Lightning Surge Currents,” 2024 International Symposium on EMC Europe,10.1109, 2024.
[3] T. Masuda et al ”Basic Study on Improving Lightning Resistance of Drones, ” The Institute of Electronics Information and Communication Engineers Society Conference, B-4-6, 2021.
[4] M. Maruyama et al ” Experiment on Artificial Triggering of Lightning by Using a Drone,” Society of Atmospheric Electricity of Japan, S2-1, 2023.
[5] J.C.Willet, et al. “An experimental study of positive leaders initiating rocket-triggered lightning,” Geophys. Res. Lett., Volume 45, pp. 3698-3705, 2018.
Acknowledgment
I would like to express my gratitude to Professor Masaru Inatsu, Mitsuteru Sato and Yosuke Sato of Hokkaido University for valuable advice
We are investigating lightning strike control technology that directs lightning strikes to safe locations as a new method of lightning protection.[1] If lightning control technology can generate lightning at the intended location and timing and direct it to a safe location, it can significantly reduce the damage caused by lightning strikes to infrastructure and other facilities. NTT Space Environment Energy Laboratory is conducting research on inducing lightning strikes by drones flown over important buildings, facilities, and cities, and guiding them to safe locations. In addition, they are also studying technologies to effectively utilize the induced lightning as energy. [2] In this paper, we report on experiments in which we intentionally induced and guided lightning using a drone that can continue to fly even after being struck by lightning. [3] This experiment was conducted from December 2024 to January 2025 at an altitude of 900 m in the mountains of Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, to verify a drone induced lightning technique. In this experiment, a field mill was used to observe the electric field on the ground, and the drone hovered at an altitude of 300 m when the electric field strength in the surrounding area increased. The drone and the ground were connected by conductive enamel wires, and a high-voltage switch was installed on the ground side. [4][5] When a thundercloud approached the experimental area, the drone was made to hover at the timing when the electric field strength observed by the field mill reached +3.7 kV/m, the switch was turned from OFF to ON, and the drone was connected to the ground. As a result, this experiment was the world's first successful drone induced lightning. This is because we confirmed that a large current flowed through the enameled wire, and at the same time, bursting sound, light emission, and burnout of the enameled wire, and switch were observed. In addition, we confirmed that the drone equipped with a lightning-resistant cage continued to fly stably after the lightning induced. It was confirmed that a voltage of approximately 2.0 kV was generated between the enamel wires and the ground immediately before the lightning was induced. It is thought that lightning was induced in the drone by breaking through the influence of the corona charge layer near the drone in the sky by rapidly changing the equipotential surface through remote operation of the switch.
Reference
[1] Wang, et al., 30th ICLP, paper No.730, 2010.
[2] A. Nagao. et al. “Fundamental Study on method of Generating Compressed Air by Utilizing the Electromagnetic Force Caused by Lightning Surge Currents,” 2024 International Symposium on EMC Europe,10.1109, 2024.
[3] T. Masuda et al ”Basic Study on Improving Lightning Resistance of Drones, ” The Institute of Electronics Information and Communication Engineers Society Conference, B-4-6, 2021.
[4] M. Maruyama et al ” Experiment on Artificial Triggering of Lightning by Using a Drone,” Society of Atmospheric Electricity of Japan, S2-1, 2023.
[5] J.C.Willet, et al. “An experimental study of positive leaders initiating rocket-triggered lightning,” Geophys. Res. Lett., Volume 45, pp. 3698-3705, 2018.
Acknowledgment
I would like to express my gratitude to Professor Masaru Inatsu, Mitsuteru Sato and Yosuke Sato of Hokkaido University for valuable advice