A new development from the researchers of Sandia National Laboratories has pushed innovation in explorations using a Solar-powered balloon. This balloon is rather cheap to manufacture, at only $50 to manufacture one, but presents massive applications for different types of studies, including cosmic explorations for nearby planets in the future.
In its many flights, the researchers were able to capture unique sounds heard in the stratosphere, one of the layers of Earth's atmosphere, best known for being a peaceful and calm area.
Solar-Powered Balloons Capture Unique Sounds, Present Massive Applications
A groundbreaking development in the field of aeronautics has taken flight as solar-powered balloons soar to great heights (as much as 70,000 feet or 21 kilometers), capturing unique sounds in the stratosphere. This remarkable achievement comes from the ingenious minds at Sandia National Laboratories, who have developed a cost-effective solution that could revolutionize research.
"[In the stratosphere,] there are mysterious infrasound signals that occur a few times per hour on some flights, but the source of these is completely unknown," said Daniel Bowman from Sandia.
Bowman also regarded that this balloon is presenting more opportunities for space exploration, particularly in learning more about Venus with its seismic and volcanic activities, through its thick atmosphere.
Read Also: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Captures a Luminous Dusty Star-forming Galaxy
Solar-Powered Balloons are Cost-Effective and Easy to Manufacture
These solar-powered balloons, created for a mere $50 each, can reach the stratosphere, a region of the Earth's atmosphere located between 10 and 50 kilometers above the surface. Equipped with scientific payloads and specialized equipment, including microphones, the balloons capture the sounds of human chatter, environmental noises, and the distinctive sounds of the stratosphere itself.
The construction of these innovative balloons is surprisingly simple yet effective. Made from materials readily available and inexpensive, such as painter's plastic, tape, and charcoal dust.
Its use of solar power allows the balloons to operate without the need for additional energy sources, making them environmentally friendly and self-sustaining on their missions to different locations and toward space (via Interesting Engineering).
Innovations that Help Discover More of the Unknown
Most of the best-known innovations in the world that help discover what is unknown to humans are expensive, and this is evidenced by the James Webb Space Telescope which cost $10 billion to make. Still, it made up for its hefty prices for the many scientific and cosmic discoveries it brought humans.
Another development present today that promises to bring cost-effective solutions to research is artificial intelligence, with experts regarding the tech to be able to conduct as much as 10,000 scientific experiments a day with its capabilities.
The success of these solar-powered balloons marks a significant step forward in atmospheric research and exploration. The cost-effectiveness and simplicity of their construction make them a promising tool for scientists and researchers around the world, opening new doors to understanding the complex interactions within our atmosphere.
As this groundbreaking project continues to unfold, scientists anticipate more exciting discoveries and valuable data gathered from the stratosphere and beyond.
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