{"id":73,"date":"2021-01-15T06:01:42","date_gmt":"2021-01-15T11:01:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kyakards.wordpress.com\/?page_id=73"},"modified":"2021-01-15T06:01:42","modified_gmt":"2021-01-15T11:01:42","slug":"press","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/index.php\/press\/","title":{"rendered":"Press"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"press-release-29-june-2021\"><strong>PRESS RELEASE &#8211; 29 June, 2021<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"stratodynamics-and-uavos-perform-successful-flight-tests-at-spaceport-america\"><strong>Stratodynamics and UAVOS Perform Successful Flight Tests at Spaceport America<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Spaceport America Launch.mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/568101900?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"525\" height=\"295\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Stratodynamics Inc. and UAVOS have successfully performed a series stratospheric flights with the HiDRON<sup>TM<\/sup>, an autonomous aircraft, at Spaceport America, New Mexico. The mission objectives were to advance new systems for forward sensing turbulence detection onboard aircraft at near-space and commercial flight altitudes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The early June flight campaign was supported by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers\/armstrong\/features\/hybrid-balloon-glider-system-tests.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NASA Flight Opportunities Program<\/a> to advance turbulence detection sensors developed by the University of Kentucky (UKY) and NASA\u2019s Langley Research Center. The results will cross validate data from multiple probes with flight data from the HiDRON.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The balloon launched HiDRON stratospheric glider achieved controlled flight following a release from a sounding balloon at altitudes above 82,000 ft. (25 km) on both June 1 and 4 and 98,000 ft (30 km) on June 6. The UAVOS designed autopilot demonstrated a breakthrough in autonomous control during the critical \u2018pullout phase\u2019.&nbsp; At the 98,000 ft apogee, the HiDRON released from the balloon in zero-gravity conditions, accelerated rapidly, approaching 300 mph (480 kph) in the first 15 seconds of flight. The HiDRON completed the pullout phase and achieved controlled flight at an altitude above 92,000 ft (28 km), 7000 ft. higher than the record setting SR-71 Blackbird while travelling at a 280 mph (450 kph) ground speed. The HiDRON then glided in a controlled flight path back toward Spaceport America\u2019s runway for approximately 4.5 hours while recording flight and payload data. Before landing, the team also tested the autonomous soaring algorithm with the HiDRON gaining almost 3000 ft of altitude by self-centering in a convection thermal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis mission represents a major milestone for Stratodynamics in achieving controlled, autonomous flight at record-setting altitudes and with aircraft\u2019s aerodynamically efficient airframe capable of utilizing available natural energy. The HiDRON also performs as an extremely sensitive instrument that can detect turbulence and correlate data collected from payload sensors. This campaign will contribute to Stratodynamics\u2019 turbulence detection systems currently in development for multiple aviation-based applications\u201d said Gary Pundsack, CEO Stratodynamics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It Takes a Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The flight campaign team included Aliaksei Stratsilatau, CEO of UAVOS (HiDRON autopilot developer and supplier), Dr. Sean Bailey, Principal Investigator and Ryan Nolin, flight technician from UKY, Dr. Qamar Shams, sensor inventor from NASA Langley, as well as balloon launch specialists, Andrew Denney and Victor Davison from the Physical Sciences Lab at New Mexico State University to assist with launch logistics. This multi-member collaboration converged at Spaceport America to combine the novel, high-altitude aerial platform with multi-hole wind probe and infrasonic microphone sensors to advance forward detection of turbulence systems. During the ascent phase, the platform captured a stunning view of New Mexico which has recently been selected as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-feature\/new-research-studies-turbulence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NASA\u2019s June 17 Image of the Day.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Researchers participating in the flight test supported by NASA\u2019s Flight Opportunities include UKY researchers Anisa Haghighi and Dr. Sean Bailey and Dr. Shams of NASA\u2019s Langley Research Center. The group will spend the next several months analyzing the sensor data to identify turbulent events and their proximity to the airborne sensors. Bailey adds, \u201cThe HiDRON aircraft was an ideal platform for these investigations. Its controlled descent provided us with many hours of data and increased our ability to observe randomly occurring events.&nbsp; We look forward to examining the data more closely to see what we can learn about turbulence in the atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UAVOS\u2019 lead autopilot developer and CEO Aliaksei Stratsilatau, adds, \u201cThe HiDRON successfully completed all of the missions proving that UAVOS&#8217; scalable, fully integrated avionics system as well as flight-proven hardware continue to ensure HiDRON is at the forefront of stratospheric missions for the long-term. This succeeded today thanks to the combined hard work of NASA\u2019s Langley Research Center, Stratodynamics Inc., the University of Kentucky, and the UAVOS team\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Henry Cathey, Director of the New Mexico State University\u2019s Physical Science Laboratory Aerospace Division said, \u201cPSL has many decades of supporting small to large balloon flight missions to safely enable science and research.&nbsp;It\u2019s part of our DNA and we are happy to be a key part of this successful set of flights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe PSL team was enthusiastic to be part of this pioneering launch, \u201csaid Andrew Denney, Lead Electrical Engineer at PSL and principal investigator for this effort. \u201cOur goal is to provide launch services and expertise that support advancements in research and technology. The safety of the crew and research instrumentation remains at the forefront of our launch priorities; as does the success of our partners\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scott McLaughlin, Executive Director of Spaceport America, noted \u201cThis truly is exciting science and technology. It combines UAV\u2019s, balloons, and infrasonics to measure turbulence in the atmosphere in a way no one else has done. We are very happy to have had their team testing at Spaceport America.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uavos.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>UAVOS&nbsp;Co.<\/strong><\/a> is a leading developer of innovative solutions for unmanned air, ground and marine applications and specializes in autopilots and&nbsp;UAV accessories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spaceportamerica.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Spaceport America<\/strong><\/a> is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world. The FAA-licensed launch complex, situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico, has a rocket friendly environment of 6,000 square miles of restricted airspace, low population density, a 12,000-foot by 200-foot runway, vertical launch complexes, and about 340 days of sunshine and low humidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/psl.nmsu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>NMSU Physical Science Laboratory<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Founded in 1946 in response to the nation\u2019s space and rocket programs, PSL\u2019s growth in capability and talent has enabled the university to provide exceptional support to numerous scientific and technical activities across the nation and around the globe.&nbsp; Today\u2019s domain expertise includes Electronic Warfare, Counter Measures, Cybersecurity, Telemetry and Missile Systems, Aerospace and Scientific Ballooning. PSL maintains a catalog of telemetry and antenna systems designed and built in our laboratory. Additionally, custom flight hardware can be designed to meet customer needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"16-march-2021\">16 March, 2021<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"stratodynamics-platforms-and-technology-highlighted-on-nasa-home-page\"><strong>Stratodynamics Platforms and Technology Highlighted on NASA Home Page<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/spacetech\/spinoff\/NASA_Microphone_Detects_Turbulence_Hundreds_of_Miles_Away\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1504\" height=\"912\" src=\"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/nasa-home-page.png?w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-84\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/nasa-home-page.png 1504w, https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/nasa-home-page-300x182.png 300w, https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/nasa-home-page-1024x621.png 1024w, https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/nasa-home-page-768x466.png 768w, https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/nasa-home-page-1200x728.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Please click on the image to be redirected to the NASA piece<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"october-2020\">October, 2020<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"stratodynamics-and-the-university-of-kentucky-to-conduct-test-flight-at-spaceport-america\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spaceportamerica.com\/stratodynamics-and-the-university-of-kentucky-to-conduct-test-flight-at-spaceport-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Stratodynamics and the University of Kentucky to Conduct Test Flight at Spaceport America<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spaceportamerica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/stratodyamics-hidron.jpg\"><\/a><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1128\" height=\"586\" src=\"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/hidron-at-27km-copy.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-80\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/hidron-at-27km-copy.jpg 1128w, https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/hidron-at-27km-copy-300x156.jpg 300w, https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/hidron-at-27km-copy-1024x532.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/hidron-at-27km-copy-768x399.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption>Test flight of the payload aboard the HiDRON shown via the tailcam at 27km altitude<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Stratodynamics Inc. and research collaborators from the University of Kentucky will conduct a multi-flight campaign along with engineers from autopilot developer, UAVOS at Spaceport America in early 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The two-week campaign will be the culmination of an experimental <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/spacetech\/flightopportunities\/25_Promising_Space_Technologies_for_Commercial_Flight_Tests\">NASA Flight Opportunities<\/a> project to validate a new method of real time, forward sensing turbulence detection developed by the University and NASA Langley. These tests will follow COVID-safe practices. Stratodynamics goals are to demonstrate sensor performance aboard airborne platforms and to commercialize forward sensing turbulence detection technology for the Aviation and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to hosting Stratodynamics at Spaceport America,\u201d said Interim Executive Director Scott McLaughlin. \u201cThe technology they are developing could make a significant difference in avoiding clear air turbulence and associated injuries in commercial aviation, as well as better characterization of atmospheric conditions for the new markets developing around urban air mobility. Unseen turbulence has always been a nemesis of aviation, and the ability to directly detect it could also someday help in smoother space tourism flights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2100\" height=\"1262\" src=\"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/flight-graphic-2020-spa-revised.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-82\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/flight-graphic-2020-spa-revised.jpg 2100w, https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/flight-graphic-2020-spa-revised-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/flight-graphic-2020-spa-revised-1024x615.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/flight-graphic-2020-spa-revised-768x462.jpg 768w, https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/flight-graphic-2020-spa-revised-1536x923.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/flight-graphic-2020-spa-revised-2048x1231.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/flight-graphic-2020-spa-revised-1200x721.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/vortesight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/flight-graphic-2020-spa-revised-1980x1190.jpg 1980w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Test Pilot and Living Legend of Aviation, Miguel A. Iturmendi adds, \u201cThe future of both HALE and HAPS type vehicles depend on finding the correct climb and descent corridors of atmospheric turbulent free areas. The ability to sense turbulence with Stratodynamics\u2019 proposed technology represents a significant leap in the oldest unsolved problem of modern physics. This technology can be of great significance in the area flight safety for current operating airliners and future flights in and out the stratosphere\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The project\u2019s Principle Investigator, Dr. Sean Bailey of the University of Kentucky said \u201cWe\u2019re excited to work with Stratodynamics on this project. This is a great opportunity to learn more about a rarely explored region of the atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFavorable market conditions exist for a new approach to turbulence mitigation in the commercial aviation and UAM sectors and occurrences of turbulence events are projected to increase due to climate change. Stratodynamics is once again honored to collaborate with our colleagues at the University of Kentucky and NASA to demonstrate this novel approach for turbulence detection.\u201d said Stratodynamics Inc. CEO, Gary Pundsack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur team builds upon decades of research and prototyping, including flight tests of full-scale implementation of high altitude aircraft that are controlled by UAVOS\u2019s autopilot, said Aliaksei Stratsilatau, UAVOS CEO and Lead Developer. \u201cTogether with Stratodynamics and the University of Kentucky, we will advance safe flight testing and develop a new stratospheric HiDRON with revolutionary capabilities\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spaceportamerica.com\/\"><strong>Spaceport America<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world. The FAA-licensed launch complex, situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico, has a rocket friendly environment of 6,000 square miles of restricted airspace, low population density, a 12,000-foot by 200-foot runway, vertical launch complexes, and about 340 days of sunshine and low humidity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PRESS RELEASE &#8211; 29 June, 2021 Stratodynamics and UAVOS Perform Successful Flight Tests at Spaceport America Stratodynamics Inc. and UAVOS have successfully performed a series stratospheric flights with the HiDRONTM, an autonomous aircraft, at Spaceport America, New Mexico. The mission objectives were to advance new systems for forward sensing turbulence detection onboard aircraft at near-space &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/index.php\/press\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Press&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-73","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/73","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=73"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/73\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vortesight.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=73"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}