Journal Article

Reduced-Order Modeling of Stratospheric Winds and Its Application in High-Altitude Balloon Trajectory Simulations

Ramesh, Sai Sudha, Lim, Kian Meng, Lee, Heow Pueh, Khoo, Boo Cheong

2017

Overview

The knowledge of weather conditions at the stratosphere is important for the planning and execution of highaltitude balloon flights, which require an accurate modeling of weather data over a period of time. Various methods based on statistical analysis, artificial neural networks, and cluster analysis have been employed to model the temporal variation of weather parameters. In the present study, a proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method has been used to study the spatial as well as temporal variations of wind data in Singapore. The use of POD facilitates a compact representation of the weather dataset and aids in faster computation of wind profiles for use in balloon trajectory simulation. Further, the results reveal the existence of the quasi-biennial oscillation phenomenon, which is characteristic of equatorial easterly–westerly winds. This phenomenon enables the development of a Fourier prediction model, which can be used in real-time balloon trajectory simulations. The Fourier model is observed to be sensitive towind velocity fluctuations, especially in the vicinity of alternating wind directions. However, it provides a reasonable projection of balloon trajectory, which can be used in preliminary planning and testing of high-altitude flights. Thus, a prior knowledge of wind profiles based onPODor a Fourier model aids in balloon station keeping. A simple case of altitude-controlled balloon flight is presented, and the results highlight the advantages of the present method in balloon station keeping.

• Publisher: American Meteorological Society
• Subject: Altitude / Artificial neural networks / Atmospheric sciences / Balloon flight / Balloons / Biennial / Cluster analysis / Computation / Data analysis / Data compression / Data processing / Datasets / Decomposition / High altitude balloons / Laboratories / Mechanical engineering / Meteorological data / Methods / Modelling / Neural networks / Prediction models / Principal components analysis / Proper Orthogonal Decomposition / Quasi-biennial oscillation / Real time / Simulation / Station keeping / Stationkeeping / Statistical analysis / Statistical methods / Stratosphere / Stratospheric winds / Studies / Temporal variability / Temporal variations / Testing / Velocity / Weather / Weather conditions / Wind data / Wind profiles / Wind speed / Wind velocity fluctuations / Winds