Environmental monitoring navigation systems and methods for same

A control system for an atmospheric balloon system comprising:

• a navigation parameter system configured to generate one or more parameter ranges for balloon operation, the navigation parameter system includes:
• a meteorological characteristic input including airstream vectors with associated coordinates;
• a balloon kinematic monitor configured to monitor balloon kinematics;
• an objective input including one or more of a target balloon position or the target balloon position and one or more intervening waypoints;
• and
• a parameter range generator configured to generate an altitude search range for the atmospheric balloon system based on the air stream vectors, balloon kinematics, and one or more of the target balloon position or the target balloon position with one or more intervening waypoints;
• and
• an onboard balloon control system associated with the atmospheric balloon system, wherein the onboard balloon control system is in communication with the navigation parameter system, the onboard balloon control system includes:
• a comparator configured to determine a course difference of a measured course of the atmospheric balloon system relative to a specified course to the target balloon position or intervening waypoints;
• an altitude selection module configured to select a target altitude within the altitude search range having an air stream vector that decreases the course difference;
• a propulsion selection module configured to select a propulsion value that decreases the course difference;
• and
• a balloon control interface configured to control one or more of balloon altitude or balloon propulsion based on one or more of the target altitude or course difference.

A method for controlling an atmospheric balloon system comprising:

• generating one or more parameter ranges for balloon operation with a navigation parameter system including:
• monitoring balloon kinematics of the atmospheric balloon system;
• receiving an objective input including one or more of a target balloon position or the target balloon position and one or more intervening waypoints;
• receiving a meteorological characteristic input including airstream vectors with associated coordinates;
• and
• generating an altitude search range for the atmospheric balloon system based on the air stream vectors, balloon kinematics, and one or more of the target balloon position or the target balloon position with the one or more intervening waypoints;
• and
• determining control instructions for the atmospheric balloon system with an onboard balloon control system in communication with the navigation parameter system, determining control instructions includes:
• selecting a target altitude within the altitude search range, the target altitude having an air stream vector that decreases a course difference of the atmospheric balloon system relative to a specified course;
• and
• selecting a propulsion value that decreases the course difference.