WINDBORNE SYSTEMS INC. SBIR Phase II Award, June 2020

The WindBorne Aerial Sensing Platform (“ASP”) is a low-cost balloon-based sensor and/or comms platform with several day endurance, an operational altitude range from ground level to 25 km, and the ability to carry any lightweight payload. The Platforms can fly thousands of miles to collect data anywhere on Earth, or persistently dwell over a target region via station keeping or cycling. Because they are so inexpensive, they are cheaper to replace than to shoot down and can be deployed by an airman in minutes. Also under development are automatic balloon launchers, which can be strategically positioned around the world for rapid response to operational needs.  ASP navigational control is enabled by altitude control. Since Platforms can set dynamic altitude profiles, they can steer by shifting into the right wind currents. This enables them to collect weather data where it was previously missing -- like over the ocean, in Africa, or in the Middle East -- or carry ISR instruments like cameras to surveil a specific location. Through station-keeping or cycling, an ASP can dwell over a location for days.