Stratodynamics Shows Pomise in Unmanned Aerial Turbulence Detection

Delaware-based Stratodynamics Inc. has finished a successful series of test flights that launched from Spaceport America earlier this month. Stratodynamics provides high altitude flight services for use in remote earth observations or in-situ monitoring. These platforms and observations are made with unmanned vehicles.

These successful tests were completed with their HiDRON – a balloon-launched glider vehicle. The tests showed successful high-altitude flights and a return back to earth once released. Researchers used these tests to assess the functionality and performance of the wind probe and infrasonic microphone sensor. These components were licensed from NASA’s Langley Research Center and help detect air turbulence for aerial vehicles. The tests showed successful capture of velocity, direction, magnitude, and low-frequency sound waves. 

Presently, commercial aviation relies on meteorology and pilot reporting to predict and communicate turbulence to other piloted aircrafts. Stratodynamics is hopeful their HiDRON could fill gaps in turbulence detection methods, and provide a method for unmanned aircrafts to detect and communicate this turbulence. 

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