Development of high-altitude system to generate a global-scale dataset of atmospheric turbulence

This project will help to identify potential flight areas for UA dynamic soaring gliders. We propose to measure both horizontal and vertical winds, to determine characteristics of turbulence spectra at high altitudes up to at ~100K using balloons . The on-board equipment includes Pitot tubes, microbarographs, autopilot PX4, GPS, computers, video and radio links. Multiple-hole Pitot probes will be mounted on a boom (stationary or retractable) at some distance from the main payload cradle. The payload of ~3 kg will be packaged into a box per required specifications. Data interpretation will be conducted in collaboration with Planetary Systems Branch NASA Ames Research Center (Mr. Alex Kling).
NASA is planning to release the call for proposal for the HASP 2024 flight season later in 2023. If selected, the developed system will bee tested there in addition to flight testing planned locally in Tucson.