Sensor nodes for stratospheric balloon missions

Stratospheric balloon missions (to a hight of maximum 50 km) are both a “warm-up” and exercise in the preparation for our cubesat satellite missions, and interesting in themselves - to a growing extent because of the heightened attention for stratospheric pollution by the uncontrolled and fast accelerating de-orbiting of low earth orbit satellites into atmosphere. While there is a natural deposition of meteorite material to the tune of 50-60 tons per day, the metals added by human activity are different in nature, potentially depleting the ozone layer, impacting the radiative energy balance of the planet, and disturbing radio astronomy. Therefore, it is of interest to collect environmental data from the stratosphere, both by means of remote observation (from above and below), and by direct in-situ measurements. The project(s) available here deal with the design of networked sensor nodes, to be launched on balloon launches we operate together with partners SDU and Spaceline Labs. This is work on the interaction of environmental sciences, embedded computing, electronics desgin and networking.