A large WindShaper fan array is available for dynamic low-speed and hovering flight research, according to official sources. The system is ideal for generating arbitrary wind gradients and wind gusts via a simple Python API, enabling precise control for experimental setups. However, the specific types of dynamic low-speed and hovering flight research the WindShaper is currently being used for remain unclear, as do its technical specifications such as size, wind speed range, and control precision.
A companion WindProbe is also available for quick surveys of flows, official sources confirm. The WindProbe utilizes the lab’s OptiTrack motion capture system to extract the position and orientation of the 5-hole cone probe located on the probe tip, allowing for detailed flow analysis. How the WindProbe integrates with the WindShaper in practical research applications is not specified, and the primary research goals or projects benefiting from this setup, along with the main users or research teams at NASA, have not been detailed.