Morana 3 captures the spectrum of a meteor from the stratosphere for the first time.

A world first in atmospheric research: The first ultraviolet spectrum of a meteor from the stratosphere

May 12, 2026 /

[Picture: Martin Ferus, Heyrovský Institute]

An international research team led by the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences has, for the first time, recorded the ultraviolet spectrum of a meteor directly from the stratosphere and subsequently analyzed it in detail using innovative software. The University of Stuttgart contributed its extensive expertise in mission design and satellite system analysis to the consortium, thereby making a decisive contribution to this technological world premiere.
As early as December 2024, the Czech balloon missions MORANA 1–3 were launched to record the spectrum of a shooting star originating from the Geminids at altitudes of up to 30 kilometers—the first results have now been published.
This success represents an important step toward the development of novel hyperspectral cameras that are to be deployed in CubeSat constellations in the future. The goal is the global monitoring of meteors, spacecraft re-entries, lightning, and other luminous phenomena in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Morana 3 recorded the spectrum of a meteor from the stratosphere for the first time. The meteor, identified as part of the Geminids, entered the Earth’s atmosphere at a speed of approximately 36 km/s, began to burn up at an altitude of about 98 km, and left a trail of light approximately 52 km long within 1.46 seconds. At the time of the recording, the Morana 3 balloon was at an altitude of about 22 km and observed the meteor from a distance of about 140 km. The two images, A and B, were captured 0.1 seconds apart.
Morana 3 recorded the spectrum of a meteor from the stratosphere for the first time. The meteor, identified as part of the Geminids, entered the Earth’s atmosphere at a speed of approximately 36 km/s, began to burn up at an altitude of about 98 km, and left a trail of light approximately 52 km long within 1.46 seconds. At the time of the recording, the Morana 3 balloon was at an altitude of about 22 km and observed the meteor from a distance of about 140 km. The two images, A and B, were captured 0.1 seconds apart.
Image: Martin Ferus, Heyrovský Institute

Key Contributions of the IRS

The Institute for Space Systems (IRS) at the University of Stuttgart, in collaboration with the student small satellite club KSat, is developing the CubeSat mission SOURCE (Stuttgart Operated University Research CubeSat for Evaluation and Education), which is designed, among other things, to enable video-based meteor observations from space. Building on this work, the IRS supported the international consortium in defining key mission parameters and optimizing the observation geometry, thereby significantly strengthening the overall system design. The IRS also helped verify the performance of the hyperspectral camera under realistic conditions. In addition, the IRS contributed its expertise in the integration of payloads for future CubeSat platforms.
The insights gained are being incorporated into the development of scalable satellite constellations, which are intended to enable global and continuous observation of meteors, re-entries, and other atmospheric luminous phenomena in the future.

Schematic representation of the Morana 3 stratospheric mission. Panel A shows the spectral UV camera, which makes it possible to analyze the elemental composition of a meteor in the ultraviolet range, which does not reach the Earth’s surface due to the atmosphere and the ozone layer. Panel B shows the gondola with the built-in camera, while Panel C illustrates the complete stratospheric balloon. The rubber balloon ascends to an altitude of approximately 30 km, where it bursts; the gondola then descends to the ground via a parachute. Position lights and electronic systems equipped with radio transponders and GPS enable safe flight tracking and help prevent hazards to air traffic.
Schematic representation of the Morana 3 stratospheric mission. Panel A shows the spectral UV camera, which makes it possible to analyze the elemental composition of a meteor in the ultraviolet range, which does not reach the Earth’s surface due to the atmosphere and the ozone layer. Panel B shows the gondola with the built-in camera, while Panel C illustrates the complete stratospheric balloon. The rubber balloon ascends to an altitude of approximately 30 km, where it bursts; the gondola then descends to the ground via a parachute. Position lights and electronic systems equipped with radio transponders and GPS enable safe flight tracking and help prevent hazards to air traffic.
Image: Martin Ferus and David Černý, Heyrovský Institute

Limitations of ground-based observation

To date, most meteorological observations have relied on ground-based networks. However, these networks cover only a limited portion of the sky and are constrained by atmospheric conditions. In particular, the ultraviolet spectral range remains largely inaccessible from the ground. Yet spectral analysis provides crucial information about the elemental composition of extraterrestrial material that enters Earth’s atmosphere each year.
In addition to meteors, spacecraft re-entries, space debris, and complex plasma phenomena also play a central role in understanding atmospheric processes. At the same time, large regions of the Earth—such as oceans, polar regions, or deserts—have so far been inadequately observed.

The first meteor spectrum recorded by a stratospheric balloon. The first meteor spectrum recorded by a stratospheric balloon. In the ultraviolet range below 400 nm, which is inaccessible from the Earth’s surface, numerous intense metal lines appear. From the stratosphere, wavelengths down to about 200 nm can be observed, revealing, among other things, distinct aluminum lines in the spectrum of the Geminid meteor recorded by Morana 3 that are not detectable in the visible range.
The first meteor spectrum recorded by a stratospheric balloon. In the ultraviolet range below 400 nm, which is inaccessible from the Earth’s surface, numerous intense metal lines appear. From the stratosphere, wavelengths down to about 200 nm can be observed, revealing, among other things, distinct aluminum lines in the spectrum of the Geminid meteor recorded by Morana 3 that are not detectable in the visible range.
Image: Martin Ferus and David Černý, Heyrovský Institute

Technology development for space applications

The results mark an important step toward satellite-based observation networks. The successful stratospheric test demonstrates the hyperspectral camera’s operational capability under near-space conditions and for future missions. As part of the new German-Czech project LILA (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy & Laser Ablation Mass Spectrometry), further experiments are to be conducted, for example, in the plasma wind tunnels at the University of Stuttgart to further validate the technology and qualify it for orbital operation. In parallel, the IRS is working on the development of LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) systems, which are intended for use on lunar and Martian rovers during future planetary missions.
The LILA project is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG, Project No. 56962926) and the Czech Science Foundation (GAČR, Project No. 26-22475K).

Launch of the MORANA 3 balloon

02:26

Technical Contact:
RNDr. Ferus Martin, Ph.D.
Email: martin.ferus@jh-inst.cas.cz
Phone: +420 26605 3204

Press contact:
Dr. Dörte Mehlert
IRS Public Relations
Email: doerte.mehlert@irs.uni-stuttgart.de
Phone: +49 711-685-69632

Further Links:

Aerospace research at the University of Stuttgart
Aerospace studies in Stuttgart form a unique interdisciplinary think tank for key technologies in space and on Earth. Researchers at the University of Stuttgart bring together expertise from the fields of climate and energy research, communications technology, propulsion technology, and AI-assisted flight. A central focus is the exploration of sustainable technological solutions aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of aerospace. Research is conducted in an interdisciplinary manner and in close collaboration with regional and international partners from academia and industry, for example within the framework of the Collaborative Research Centers ATLAS (SFB 1667) and SynTrac (SFB-TRR 364). As a partner of THE Aerospace LÄND, the University of Stuttgart contributes to the implementation of Baden-Württemberg’s state strategy to shape aerospace in a sustainable, digital, and collaborative manner by 2050. The University offers its students a solid engineering and application-oriented education. In promoting young talent, it cooperates with the “Future Initiative for Young Talent in Aerospace,” an initiative of the state of Baden-Württemberg dedicated to strengthening the promotion of young talent in STEM fields.

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