Design, realization and test of a remote sensing and monitoring platform based on a tethered balloon.

The growing need for real-time, high-resolution environmental data has led to the exploration of cost-effective and autonomous remote sensing solutions. While satellites and drones are widely employed for Earth observation, they present significant challenges such as high operational costs, limited endurance, and complex regulatory requirements. Tethered balloons provide a promising alternative, enabling continuous data collection with minimal maintenance while offering a stable observation platform. The proposed system consists of a modular and versatile payload designed for long-term autonomous operation. It integrates a Raspberry Pi 3 as the onboard computer, a high-resolution camera mounted on a dual-axis servomechanism for targeted imaging, and a power management unit. A key focus of this work is achieving complete energy independence through an optimized solar power generation and storage system. The solar panel, designed specifically for the platform, ensures sufficient energy harvesting to sustain the system during daylight hours while simultaneously charging a battery pack to provide operation at night or in case of unclear sky. This eliminates the need for frequent manual interventions, significantly increasing the efficiency and practicality of the system. A comprehensive testing phase was conducted to evaluate power consumption, energy storage efficiency, and payload performance under real operational conditions. Results confirm that the system can maintain continuous operation over extended periods while reliably capturing and storing high-quality images. The platform is particularly suited for applications in environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, and scientific research, where long-term autonomous data acquisition is essential. Future developments may focus on increasing payload flexibility, optimizing power efficiency, and exploring higher-altitude deployment scenarios.