STRATONAV (STRATOspherical NAVigation) experiment is developed by a team of Italian students from Sapienza - University of Rome and Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna. The main goal of the experiment is to test the VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) navigation system and to evaluate its accuracy above its estimated Standard Service Volume. This investigation could determine a possible operational range extension to stratospherical flights through an in-situ testing campaign. STRATONAV aims to tune its VHF receivers to the optimal VOR ground stations frequencies during the whole BEXUS flight and to record the measured VOR radials. The experiment will be able to compute the BEXUS ground track by contemporarily interfacing two or more measured radials due to the presence of several VOR ground stations in the area around the launch-site and to their multiple service volume intersections. The VOR stratospherical accuracy will be evaluated by comparing the collected data to the GPS balloon's path. The main possible advantage that this experiment could offer is the possibility to use a well-established, mature and available navigation system as a stand-alone positioning system method or as add-on of current and future other space-borne positioning system. STRATONAV TEAM MEMBERS:
- Federico Curianò (team leader)
- Federica Angeletti
- Lorenzo Arena
- Tommaso Cardona
- Andrea Gianfermo
- Paolo Marzioli
- Alice Pellegrino
- Marcello Valdatta
