Predicting high-altitude vehicle launch opportunities using machine learning: a preliminary investigation

Abstract

High-altitude ballooning, along with other aerospace endeavors, requires extensive preplanning and preparation for vehicle launching. In ballooning specifically, weather conditions are especially effective and driving whether or not a launch can occur. As most flights must be shaped around the flight path, both for safety and recovery reasons, it is imperative that any acceptable flight path and day may be considered. The goal of this project is to minimize, using machine learning, the complexity and manpower requirements for determining if a launch can occur.