Urban Sky has developed a pioneering, patented, and rapidly deployable stratospheric C4ISR balloon system, currently serving commercial imagery customers in the U.S. With two envelope sizes available and adoption by the Department of Defense (DoD), this system has proven its viability. However, its 10-hour flight duration presents limitations. This SBIR Phase I project aims to address this limitation by exploring innovative systems that can substantially increase the mission duration of stratospheric balloons within the Micro class. The focus is on achieving extended flight times while maintaining a low Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (C-SWaP) profile. Urban Sky's strong track record in conducting stratospheric flights safely and in compliance with regulations forms the foundation of this endeavor. By leveraging this experience and infrastructure, the project intends to develop and integrate technologies that will enable stratospheric Microballoons to operate for significantly extended durations (i.e. beyond 1 year of flight duration per Microballoon). This will be achieved by developing the first ever "Micro-class" (i.e. tactical one-person deployable, <25lb payload) super-pressure balloon ultra-long-duration balloon with a modular, payload-agnostic interfacing system that is compatible with both DoD and commercial payloads. The goal is to enhance the functionality of Microballoons, making them a versatile tool for various applications beyond C4ISR. The project aligns with Urban Sky's commitment to innovation, safety, and compliance, paving the way for longer-lasting and more cost-effective solutions in the stratospheric balloon domain.
