Satellite missions such as Copernicus have transformed Earth observation, yet revisit time, cloud coverage, and fixed orbital constraints limit their responsiveness for local applications. High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), operating in the lower stratosphere, are envisioned as a complementary layer that can deliver continuous, on-demand, and high-resolution data. In this study, we report on a stratospheric balloon experiment reaching 18–22 km altitude with a multispectral camera, designed as a proof-of-concept for HAPS-based remote sensing. The acquired imagery is compared with Sentinel-2 products, illustrating both the challenges and the potential advantages of stratospheric platforms. Although payload rotation and temporal mismatch with satellite data limited the number of usable images, the experiment confirmed that low-cost multispectral cameras can provide data of sufficient quality for visual comparison with satellite products. The ability to obtain images on demand highlights the potential of such systems for rapid crisis monitoring, for example during floods or wildfires. The findings underline the importance of stabilization and system integration, offering concrete lessons for future missions. Beyond the technical demonstration, this experiment highlights the strategic value of HAPS as a persistent Earth observation solution that could reduce data gaps, enhance disaster response, and provide flexible monitoring capabilities. The lessons learned form a basis for future HAPS development, emphasizing their role in next-generation Earth observation architecture.
Pecho et al. (Thu,) studied this question.