A reversible mid-stratospheric architecture to reduce insolation

Abstract

Combating Climate Change requires temporally and spatially-resolved atmospheric and solar data planetwide. A method to acquire these essential data provides a rationale to develop and test a safe way to reduce insolation if needed. The Glitter Belt High Altitude Long Endurance architecture of reflective vehicles serves two purposes. Firstly as long-endurance globe-spanning meteorology platforms, and secondly, as a scalable, reversible option to reduce insolation. These vehicles offer unprecedented access for emergency response and remote sensing, planetwide. There are several unique challenges, including 30.5 km cruise altitude, 12-h unpowered night glide requirements, rendezvous and swarm operation for high-precision distributed antenna applications. All are shown to be feasible. Conceptual design, small scale design-build-fly tests, and dynamic flight simulation are used to remove uncertainties and derive system properties. Winds are seen to be within limits that permit the vehicles to achieve desired Peak Summer Follower routes. Scale-up to reduce atmospheric heat retention is viable in concert with GreenHouse Gas (GHG) reduction and measures to improve industrial efficiency. New climate data suggest a clear target and credit equivalence for reducing insolation, equating reduced insolation with Carbon Emission Units (CEU). A schedule is suggested for deployment and removal of reflective platforms. Data suggest an equivalence of 0.11 CEU/m2 of high-altitude reflector. This schedule would bring Earth’s Energy Imbalance down to the level of 1990, by year 2055 assuming 2024 start. Spinoffs include a scheme to thicken a sea ice swath bordering Antarctica, and mountain glacier tops. This could control and reduce sea level and aid fresh water security. These are set in a broader international context of supporting Sustainable Development Goals. Given international will, Global Warming can be controlled in a verified, safe and reversible manner that uniquely satisfies all guidance from the National Academies.