At Project Stratus, our research focuses on advancing autonomous navigation and environmental monitoring through innovative high-altitude ballooning. By combining cutting-edge hardware with state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms, we aim to unlock new possibilities in stratospheric exploration.
Reinforcement Learning for Autonomous Navigation
Our balloon is equipped with a custom-designed reinforcement learning algorithm, adapted from the Google Loon environment. This algorithm enables the balloon to navigate independently by predicting wind patterns and adjusting its altitude for optimal travel paths. Our research explores the challenges of decision-making in dynamic and uncertain stratospheric environments.
Atmospheric Data Collection and Analysis
Using a suite of onboard sensors, including temperature, pressure, and UV detectors, the balloon gathers critical atmospheric data. This research contributes to understanding climate patterns, ozone levels, and other phenomena relevant to Earth's atmosphere.
Real-Time Communication Systems
Our team is developing robust communication systems using the Iridium Satellite Network to ensure continuous data transmission between the balloon and ground stations. This aspect of our research focuses on enhancing reliability and scalability in remote data collection missions.
Sustainable System Design
Sustainability is central to our mission. We aim to minimize the environmental impact of our balloon systems through efficient resource use and eco-friendly materials. This research extends to ensuring long-term viability for stratospheric exploration.
Cross-Disciplinary Innovation
Our project integrates concepts from multiple disciplines, including aerospace engineering, data science, and environmental science. By fostering collaboration, we aim to contribute to a broader understanding of high-altitude systems and their potential applications.