Our goal
\nUbiquitous, high-performance connectivity will be a critical enabler for the projected £13–20 trillion annual economic potential of AI. To meet this demand, the world requires a new class of technology that is lower cost than both terrestrial towers and satellites. This programme aims to build that missing link by unlocking the stratosphere as a persistent operating environment.
\nWe are backing teams to solve the interdependent challenges of flight and energy to create a resilient and sustainable platform layer between Earth and space. Success will be measured by a single, galvanising demonstration: keeping a platform aloft for one week while maintaining line-of-sight to a fixed ground point and continuously powering a 300W payload. This technical breakthrough will provide the physical backbone required for next-generation advanced communications.
Read the accessible version of the programme thesis
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Technical Areas
\nWe are funding ambitious projects across 3 Technical Areas (TAs) to solve the interdependent challenges of stratospheric endurance.
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","link":null,"color":"ccbbed","isWhiteText":false,"fullWidth":false},{"type":"rich-text-content","text":"Meet the programme team
\nOur Programme Directors are supported by a core team that provides a blend of operational coordination and highly specialised technical expertise.
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They both joined ARIA from the University of Cambridge, where Gemma continues to lead teams working on non-invasive brain monitoring, and Sarah in optical imaging technology for earlier cancer detection.","position":"Programme Directors"},{"image":{"src":"/media/uldjvri0/jess-humphreys.jpg?rxy=0.4959256566002224,0.43139255376513513&width=1000&height=1000&format=webp&v=1db4d52811b5230","alt":"A photo of Jess Humphreys, the Scoping Our Planet P-Spec"},"name":" Jess Humphreys","text":"Prior to working with ARIA, Jess built a career innovating clinical trial management at tech SMEs, where she led teams developing interactive response technology platforms to streamline trial processes, and oversaw global data management and quality control at neuroimaging facilities. Jess supports ARIA as an operating partner from Pace.","position":"Programme Specialist"},{"image":{"src":"/media/f0jj0w2e/dan-giles.jpg?rxy=0.5122166444827333,0.4431562264845522&width=1000&height=1000&format=webp&v=1db4d5291fd1160","alt":"A photo of the Scoping Our Planet T-Spec, Dan Giles"},"name":"Dan Giles","text":"Dan has a diverse academic background in applied mathematics, statistics, and computer science, with a focus on developing and enhancing ocean and atmospheric models. He joined ARIA from University College London, where he is a Senior Research Fellow in machine learning for weather and climate sciences.","position":"Technical Specialist"}],"title":"","text":""},{"type":"double-card","items":[{"title":"Scoping Our Planet","text":"In Scoping Our Planet, we seek to unite frontier platforms, sensors, and AI models to revolutionise our understanding of our Earth system, maximise planetary resilience and revolutionise global business.","link":{"isActive":false,"text":"Discover more","href":"/opportunity-spaces/scoping-our-planet","title":""},"colour":null},{"title":"Forecasting Tipping Points","text":"This programme aims to create an early warning system for tipping points that equips the world with the information we need to build resilience and accelerate proactive climate adaptation.","link":{"isActive":false,"text":"Discover 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