| String
of Pearls
The simulation on this page shows one potential balloon
network performing a Hurricane Intercept Mission. The
network of 20 balloons is arranged in a "String
of Pearls" around the equator. When hurricane Alberto
forms (August 2000), the network resources are mobilized
to intercept and observe the hurricane. The network
of balloons looks ahead to anticipate the hurricane
ground track. The simulation shows has 1 frame every
4 hours, and tails on the balloon trajectories are 12
hours long.
This simulation uses real weather from the time of
the hurricane to calculate the trajectories of the balloons.
A realistic model of a StratoSail Ballon Guidance System (BGS) is used to adjust the trajectories of the
stratospheric platforms.
This simulation demonstrates the potential importance
of a Ballon Guidance System for monitoring hurricane
activity.
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