Author: Nick Craine

Stratodynamics Aviation Inc. is committed to diverse hiring practices. As with the ecology of our planet, the talent pool is enriched by contrasting and complimentary voices.

Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to our core values. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion or sexual orientation.

At the end of the day, it’s our diversity that makes us unique and hence, competitive and more creative. This can only contribute positively to serving the clients, our communities and inevitably, the bottom line.

While laws may vary in the countries where Stratodynamics Aviation operates, we are wholly committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace, one that we take with us across borders and governments.

Stratodynamics Aviation Inc.

GO HIGHER

November 3, 2018

Stratodynamics Aviation Inc has carried out the company’s inaugural test launch the HiDRON, a stratospheric aircraft for collecting high-altitude atmospheric data. The first flight lasted 1.5 hours and reached an altitude of 6000 m. The HiDRON’s vertical speed averaged 2 m/s down during the return flight, much slower than typical payload parachutes at 4 m/s or higher. The test program included; proving the stability of the communication commands of the primary radio link and the backup Iridium satellite system; stabilization and controllability of the aircraft after the balloon was released; testing of the balloon release systems; and monitoring the influence of icing conditions on the UAV controls.

SHORT VIDEO OF THE LAUNCH

During the flight, and with real-time monitoring of the telemetry data, the autopilot parameters were adjusted to ensure the safe execution of various flight modes. The development team designed two balloon release systems to ensure redundancy. The release system provides a controlled release of the HiDRON from the balloon at the targeted altitude, and can also be deployed to mitigate icing risk, for example when passing through cloud layers at low altitudes.

The HiDRON has a wing span of 3.4 m. The current maximum take-off weight is 4.5 kg with an integrated payload of 1 kg. Further development plans to increase the payload weight and integration with target vertical speeds of 3 – 4 m/s on the ascent and 3 m/s or lower on the descent, depending on the altitude.

Gary Pundsack, CEO Stratodynamics Aviation Inc.:
“The HiDRON is a unique balloon-launched unmanned glider for collecting in-situ high-altitude atmospheric data, and capable of autonomous and soaring flight modes. We are pleased with the flight test results and the HiDRON’s agility to return home from 12 km away and a 6 km altitude. The HiDRON provides a new dynamic method for measuring and evaluating atmospheric phenomena at various altitudes in a variety of geographical locations. Stratodynamics offers an alternative to current lift-and-drift single-use meteorological balloon campaigns which, traditionally, pose a high probability of losing equipment, as well as limitations in quality and quantity of the observed data.”

November 3, 2018

Stratodynamics Aviation Inc has carried out the company’s inaugural test launch the HiDRON, a stratospheric aircraft for collecting high-altitude atmospheric data. The first flight lasted 1.5 hours and reached an altitude of 6000 m. The HiDRON’s vertical speed averaged 2 m/s down during the return flight, much slower than typical payload parachutes at 4 m/s or higher. The test program included; proving the stability of the communication commands of the primary radio link and the backup Iridium satellite system; stabilization and controllability of the aircraft after the balloon was released; testing of the balloon release systems; and monitoring the influence of icing conditions on the UAV controls.

SHORT VIDEO OF THE LAUNCH

During the flight, and with real-time monitoring of the telemetry data, the autopilot parameters were adjusted to ensure the safe execution of various flight modes. The development team designed two balloon release systems to ensure redundancy. The release system provides a controlled release of the HiDRON from the balloon at the targeted altitude, and can also be deployed to mitigate icing risk, for example when passing through cloud layers at low altitudes.

The HiDRON has a wing span of 3.4 m. The current maximum take-off weight is 4.5 kg with an integrated payload of 1 kg. Further development plans to increase the payload weight and integration with target vertical speeds of 3 – 4 m/s on the ascent and 3 m/s or lower on the descent, depending on the altitude.

Gary Pundsack, CEO Stratodynamics Aviation Inc.:
“The HiDRON is a unique balloon-launched unmanned glider for collecting in-situ high-altitude atmospheric data, and capable of autonomous and soaring flight modes. We are pleased with the flight test results and the HiDRON’s agility to return home from 12 km away and a 6 km altitude. The HiDRON provides a new dynamic method for measuring and evaluating atmospheric phenomena at various altitudes in a variety of geographical locations. Stratodynamics offers an alternative to current lift-and-drift single-use meteorological balloon campaigns which, traditionally, pose a high probability of losing equipment, as well as limitations in quality and quantity of the observed data.”

STRATODYNAMICS RECEIVES SEED FUNDING FROM INNOVATION GUELPH

The Innovation Guelph Fuel Injection Seed Funding Program has awarded funding to Stratodynamics Aviation Inc. to assist in the next phase of the company’s growth.

CEO Gary Pundsack is excited to break new ground in upper atmospheric exploration with the help of the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

The HiDRON™, a semi-autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) featuring NASA-developed lightweight sensing and control systems for high-altitude weather monitoring and other types of environmental data collection.

The HiDRON™ glider is designed to operate in the stratosphere providing greater real-time data for more accurate weather forecasts at a lower cost and with 80% less environmental waste than current weather monitoring practices.

Innovation Guelph builds prosperity for community well-being by providing mentorship and business support programs and services. Their business acceleration programs are in southern Ontario. For more information on Innovation Guelph see: http://innovationguelph.ca/funding/24-southern-ontario-companies-awarded-funding-for-innovation/

Stratodynamics Feb 2018 Press Release (click to download full Word Doc)