Glitter Belt Global Measurement System: Indian Ocean Component Preparation

The Glitter Belt architecture is planning flight tests with swarms of solar-powered, ultralight autonomous sunlight-reflecting fixed wing UAVs. These are long-endurance, summer-following meteorology platforms, able to fly between 20km and 36km altitude, initially over the Indian and Pacific oceans. An architecture summary is followed by flight test vehicle and payload parameters, as well as ground station considerations for Eastern Hemisphere operations. The new capabilities are mapped against present capabilities and needs for measurements. Sensor suites on present weather satellites, data bandwidth and possibility of using the reflector swarms as antenna networks are next considered.