Environmental detection systems and methods for high altitude platforms

An environmental sensor system for a high altitude platform configured for operation in the stratosphere, the environmental sensor system comprising:

• a plurality of different detector modules configured to detect environmental factors associated with lightning occurring below the high altitude platform when operating in the stratosphere, the plurality of different detector modules including at least a lightning detector, a transient pulse detector and an electric field detector, the plurality of different detector modules being arranged in one or more sensor suites configured for placement on the high altitude platform;
• memory configured to store data received from the plurality of different detector modules, the data being associated with the detected environmental factors;
• and
• one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory and the plurality of different detector modules, the one or more processors being configured to receive the data from the plurality of different detector modules, and to control at least one of a vertical or lateral position of the high altitude platform based on a likelihood of lightning in the environment below the high altitude platform when operating in the stratosphere.