The ASTRA (Atmospheric Science Through Robotic Aircraft) initiative, based at the University of Southampton in the South of England, aims to show that modern rapid prototyping technologies can be used to lower the barriers to entry into the UAV world (mainly in terms of cost) for Earth scientists. Over the last few years we have developed a range of such instrument platforms, including the balloon-launched glider shown in the image above.

In the autumn we will be stepping up a gear and we are looking to broaden the team. If you'd like to spend three years designing and flying small UAVs with us for atmospheric research, see here for more info and get in touch!