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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\tFlying an airplane in the stratosphere provides a unique perspective of Earth, not only for the human eye, but also for the scientific instruments used to study the environment. The University of Basel\u2019s Research Group on Physical Geography and Environmental Changes focuses on the connection between environmental changes occurring on the ground and how they are captured by remote sensing.<\/p>\n
High-altitude aircraft are an ideal platform to connect the telemetry process with the planet because they offer images with a much higher resolution than satellites and can collect relevant data in the short term and at lower cost.<\/p>\n
SolarStratos offers environmental specialists a unique opportunity to develop new sustainable remote sensing tools.<\/p>\n
A first flight aimed at testing the feasibility and accessibility of cameras and software for image analysis took place on October 13, 2021. Professor Nikolaus Kuhn, pilot and member of the Physical Geography and Environmental Changes Research Group, flew for two hours with Michel Cunier, a member of the SolarStratos team, to photograph the region between Lake Neuch\u00e2tel and Chasseral. These images were then processed in the imaging laboratory of the University of Basel. The results demonstrate that the image quality matches that of Google Earth and other commercial remote sensing products and that stratospheric aircraft can provide the service at a lower cost and with a near-zero environmental footprint.<\/p>\n
In 2022, during a series of flights, SolarStratos will continue to support the University of Basel with its research. The images that resulted from the October systematic mapping process focused on the seasonal vegetation cover of the Massif du Jura and will make it possible to follow its evolution with precision while also contributing to reducing environmental impact!<\/p>\n