Global constellations of stratospheric satellites

Global Aerospace Corporation (GAC) is studying a revolutionary concept of global and regional constellations of very long life, stratospheric superpressure balloons which can address major scientific questions and expand scientific knowledge of the Earth system. At a speed of 30 m/s, typical of the zonal stratospheric winds at 35-km altitude, a long life balloon can "orbit" the Earth along a latitude band like a space satellite every 10-20 days, but at a much lower altitude. Regional and global constellations of hundreds of stratospheric satellites can address major scientific questions relating to Earth science by measuring stratospheric gases, collecting data on atmospheric circulation, observing the Earth's surface, and detecting and monitoring environmental hazards. Such a system could augment and complement satellite measurements.