Manassas Regional Airport recently hosted an unmanned research aircraft's first successful test flight.
Dawn One, an unmanned solar-electric hybrid research aircraft with a 90-foot wingspan, was designed to be used for atmospheric studies by Electra Aero. According to a press release on Electra's website about the event, Dawn One was created to be part of Harvard University's Stratospheric Airborne Climate Observatory System.
The project is supported by contracts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Weld Foundation for Scientific and Environmental Development.
The project is designed to observe and collect data, allowing for deeper research into the physical, chemical, and biological controls that govern critical climate systems.Â
"The high-spatial resolution observations from SACOS will provide, for the first time, quantitative forecasts of risk associated with rapidly expanding wildfires, the increasing rate of sea level rise, the intensification of severe storms, and global shifts in arid regions that trigger water shortages," the project's leader Professor James G. Anderson Professor Anderson said. "Moreover, these quantitative forecasts of risk will, in turn, establish the essential intellectual links directly coupling irreversible changes in the climate structure to economics, public policy, and associated societal instability."
According to airport manager Juan Rivera, Electra approached the regional airport for the Dawn One test flight in June 2022.
"The airport supports new innovative aviation companies. These types of test flights may lead to new Advance Air Mobility (AAM) flights for our airport that could bring educational and career opportunities to this region," said Rivera.
Electra Aero is one of many new aerospace companies to open its doors in Manassas last year. The airport is also home to Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences and the Reston-based Leidos. According to Rivera, both companies have been at the airport for over five years.
Below is a video of the flight courtesy of Electra Aero:
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Recent Stories
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Broadway is meeting the ‘Burg this weekend as Fredericksburg native Tug Coker takes center stage as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.
Members of the Prince William Fire & Rescue Department’s Fire Station 22 were awarded the Green Cross. [Photo courtesy of PWC Fire on Facebook]Members of the Prince William County Fire…
Nestled on the scenic shores of Belmont Bay, The Spot in Woodbridge blends casual elegance with marina-side charm. From flavorful sliders to a Mongolian pork sandwich and sweet strawberry soda, this cozy gem is perfect for a relaxed and memorable date night.
STAFFORD, Va. – The Stafford County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday took a major step toward launching a traffic camera program aimed at slowing down drivers in school zones and highway work areas.
The Montgomery County Women’s Chorus will present a concert to benefit the Betty Ann Krahnke shelter for survivors of domestic violence. 100% of ticket sales (less any online processing fees) will go to the shelter.
The concert will take place at 3:30 pm on Sunday, May 18th at Darnestown Presbyterian Church, located at 15120 Turkey Foot Rd in Gaithersburg. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased at https://www.mocosings.org/events-1/nocturnes-and-lullabies-benefit-concert.
The program, Nocturnes and Lullabies, spans numerous centuries and genres, and includes beloved favorites from Johannes Brahms, Leonard Bernstein, and Billy Joel, among many others. We’ll be joined by three of the DMV’s premiere professional instrumentalists – Cara Dailey, flute, Matthew Maffett, viola, and Rachel Flicker, piano.
Empower Your Future: Leadership, Mentorship, Education, and Networking — Calling middle and high school students for FREE Educational Summer Programming!
LLT STEMpower Camp at Marymount University
Middle School Students | Two Sessions:
July 7–11, 2025
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
