As stratospheric winds are typically much faster than this, guided balloons will
not be able to station-keep above a given geographic position. But, simulations
have shown that with wind forecasts from the current global numerical weather
prediction programs, modest path corrections over time can achieve remarkable
results. They can not only guide balloons away from undesirable locations like
high population zones and toward science targets or near landing sites, but also
maintain a roughly constant latitude (to create a “string of pearls” formation) or
any other predefined network topology.
Fig. 5.17 Balloon Guidance System concept. Photo courtesy of Global Aerospace
Corporation
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