Nephelis IndustriesINDUSTRIES
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PUBLIC ROADMAP

Mission Path

Accelerated private probe timeline: design → prototype → build → qualify → launch → float. Compressed relative to flagship missions, but still follows the same logical gates (requirements, PDR/CDR-lite, I&T, launch ops).

NEPHELIS.MCC · PRE-HARDWARE · target uncommitted — earliest class ~2030–2031+ if gates pass · goal $500,000

OPEN TASKS
78
P0 OPEN
50
DONE
23
OPEN RISKS
7

Work by domain (open)

hardware 18mission 17growth 9program 7partners 7science 5avionics 4comms 4software 4ops 1content 1site 1

Program milestones

2025
Concept, brand, public site, early research notes for Project AETHER
complete
2026-H1
Vision site, CONOPS/requirements drafts, AETHER OS contribution framework
complete
2026-H2
Public GitHub as SSOT, open issues, materials coupon plan, regulatory notes
current
2027
Ground program: acid-resistant material coupons, small He prototype float, basic telemetry demo
target
2028
Iterate prototypes: inflation sequence, link budget tests, partner LOIs (if funded)
target
2029–2030
Only if prior gates pass: env qual path, flight-ish stack design freeze, rideshare exploration
aspirational
2030–2031+
Earliest plausible Venus transfer window class — not a commitment; depends on hardware + capital
aspirational
Long-term vision
Cloud-layer science → habitation tech path (labeled vision, not near-term engineering)
vision
1985 / 2022+
Heritage: VEGA balloons; NASA/ESA aerobot studies (context only)
background

MCC checklist

  • in progressGitHub ehreng/Nephelis as single source of truth with open L1–L3 issuesPROGRAM2026-Q3
  • in progressKeep /status and progress.json current with built vs not-yetPROGRAM2026-Q3
  • in progressMission requirements baseline (v0.9 draft exists — keep honest about incompleteness)DESIGN2026-Q4
  • plannedCONOPS updated for ground-first program (flight dates aspirational)DESIGN2026-Q4
  • plannedAcid / materials coupon campaign started (first coupons + log photos)GROUND2027-H1
  • plannedSmall helium ground float prototype with basic telemetryGROUND2027
  • in progressRegulatory path notes (FAA/FCC/export) drafted publiclyPROGRAM2026-Q4
  • plannedLive payment rails OR honest “not open yet” state (no fake allocation)PROGRAM2026-Q4
  • planned50% of $500k ground-campaign goal committed (if fundraising opens)PROGRAM2027+
  • plannedFlight program gate: only after ground demonstrator success + credible capital planFLIGHT-GATE2028+

Risk register (open)

  • R-01Acid degradation of balloon envelopehigh/medium
  • R-02Entry / inflation sequence failurecritical/medium
  • R-03Comms blackout / insufficient downlinkhigh/medium
  • R-04No committed launch path; schedule risk is structuralhigh/high
  • R-05Capital shortfall vs flight-class costhigh/high
  • R-06Planetary protection / DNA tier regulatory delaymedium/low
  • R-07Sensor mass growth eats float marginmedium/medium

Mitigations on /mission.

Detailed workstreams

Open and in-progress only. Completed site/automation work is tracked in data but hidden here for clarity. Source: tasks.json.

2026-Q3 · 15 open · 7 P0

mission
  • P0CONOPS v1: launch → cruise → entry → inflate → float → end-of-life (v0.9 drafted in docs/)in progress
  • P0Mission requirements baseline (v0.9 drafted in docs/requirements-baseline-v0.9.md)in progress
  • P1Refine transfer Δv / TOF with published ephemeris (not only Hohmann demo)planned
hardware
  • P0System architecture + ICD draft (skeleton in docs/system-icd-skeleton.md)in progress
  • P0Entry corridor & peak heat-rate study for ~10.7 km/s Venus entry classplanned
science
  • P1Science traceability matrix: goals → instruments → data productsplanned
partners
  • P0Execute P0 partner outreach: sensor lab + fluoropolymer supplierplanned
  • P1Confirm 2–3 technical advisors (structures, entry, Venus science) with written scopeplanned
growth
  • P0Flip Stripe to live keys + live webhook; real $100 smoke testplanned
  • P2Establish weekly public update cadence (X + site MDX)planned
program
  • P0Execute 30-day war board (docs/30-day-war-board.md)in progress
  • P1Planetary protection / DNA-tier legal-regulatory screening memoplanned
  • P1Recruit core volunteer leads: structures, avionics, software, scienceplanned
ops
  • P1Meta-loop first review (day 7–14 of Daily Mission operation)planned
content
  • P1Fill first research brief with cited Venus aerobot / materials sourcesplanned

2026-Q4 · 19 open · 12 P0

mission
  • P0Preliminary design review (lite): freeze interfaces, mass/power booksplanned
hardware
  • P0Fluoropolymer acid coupon campaign (protocol: docs/materials-coupon-test-protocol.md)in progress
  • P0Build subscale super-pressure balloon prototype #1 (Earth ambient)planned
  • P0Envelope leak / pressure-hold ground test protocol + first runplanned
  • P0Heatshield geometry/material trade (blunt body mass vs peak load)planned
  • P0Balloon inflation system concept (gas budget, valves, sequence)planned
avionics
  • P0Power budget v1: solar at float, battery, duty cycles (v0 data: power-budget.json)in progress
  • P1Select flight computer / rad-tolerant strategy (COTS + shielding trade)planned
comms
  • P0Comms architecture review: direct-to-Earth vs 3U relay vs hybridplanned
science
  • P0Baseline sensor suite with mass/power/data rates (imagery, MS, met, bio)planned
software
  • P1Flight software skeleton: modes, fault protection, telemetry schemaplanned
  • P2Ground tools: link budget spreadsheet + simple entry/float sim hooksplanned
partners
  • P0MOU or in-kind LOI with at least one sensor / lab partnerplanned
  • P0Receive materials samples + vendor datasheets for envelope filmplanned
  • P1CubeSat bus/radio partner shortlist (flight heritage preferred)planned
growth
  • P0Hit 25% of $500k funding goal (cash + committed in-kind valued)planned
  • P2Configure newsletter platform (Beehiiv preferred) + monthly loopplanned
program
  • P1Secure lab/fab access (clean workbench, pressure test, electronics)planned
  • P1Export control / ITAR-EAR self-screen for parts & partnersplanned

2029-Q1 · 14 open · 10 P0

mission
  • P0Critical design review (lite): drawings, BOMs, test plans signedplanned
  • P0Kick/transfer stage: make vs buy vs rideshare-provided Δvplanned
hardware
  • P0Fabricate flight-intent balloon envelope + inflation hardwareplanned
  • P0Fabricate gondola structure + instrument mountsplanned
  • P0Fabricate/procure heatshield + attachment hardwareplanned
  • P0Integrate sensor suite into gondola (electrical + mechanical)planned
avionics
  • P0Flight avionics board bring-up + sensor driversplanned
  • P1Solar + battery power demo at expected float illuminationplanned
comms
  • P0Comms breadboard: packet radio / store-and-forward demoplanned
  • P0Baseline CubeSat relay (buy vs partner vs descoped direct link)planned
science
  • P1Instrument calibration plan + ground truth datasetsplanned
  • P2Public data release policy (latency, formats, credit)planned
partners
  • P1Close first corporate / logo sponsorship above individual tiersplanned
growth
  • P0Hit 50% of $500k goal (cash + binding in-kind)planned

2029-Q2 · 12 open · 9 P0

mission
  • P0Launch path LOI / rideshare reservation for 2030s Venus window classplanned
  • P1Range safety / payload ICD inputs for launch providerplanned
hardware
  • P0Environmental qualification plan signed (TVAC, vibe, shock, thermal)planned
  • P0Vibration / shock test of integrated stack (or mass model path)planned
  • P0Thermal-vacuum test of gondola/avionics (or chamber access partner)planned
  • P0End-to-end system integration test: power → sensors → store → radioplanned
  • P0Full inflation sequence dry run on Earth (timed, instrumented)planned
  • P1Cold / altitude-chamber or high-altitude balloon analog for envelopeplanned
comms
  • P1Ground station / data downlink operations plan (partners or commercial)planned
software
  • P0Flight software fault protection + safe modes verified on hardwareplanned
partners
  • P0Sign launch broker or secondary payload agreement (or dedicated option)planned
growth
  • P0Hit 75% of funding goal before integration freezeplanned

2030-Q3 · 9 open · 6 P0

mission
  • P0Ops playbook v1: entry through float daily comms windowsplanned
  • P0Mission ops rehearsal (tabletop + sim): anomalies and contingenciesplanned
  • P1Independent red-team risk review (entry, inflate, comms, power)planned
hardware
  • P0Final acceptance test of flight stack before shipplanned
software
  • P0Flight software freeze + config management for flight loadplanned
growth
  • P0Close remaining funding / contingency reserve for launch opsplanned
  • P1Freeze Tier-1 engraving list + DNA capsule packing procedureplanned
  • P1Launch press kit + media list + embargo planplanned
program
  • P0Ship/flight prep: packing, hazardous materials, logistics to launch siteplanned

2030-Q4 · 4 open · 3 P0

mission
  • P0Launch campaign: integration with vehicle, checkouts, go/no-goplanned
  • P0Launch in 2030s Venus transfer window classplanned
  • P0Cruise operations: health checks, TCMs if any, instrument keep-aliveplanned
site
  • P2Public mission status stream on site (cruise → approach)planned

2031-Q1 · 2 open · 2 P0

mission
  • P0Venus approach & entry ops: real-time decision tree executionplanned
  • P0Float operations day 1–30: science collection + daily downlinkplanned

2031-Q2 · 3 open · 1 P0

mission
  • P1Extended float to 90 days if health allowsplanned
science
  • P0Public data release #1 + mission reportplanned
program
  • P1Lessons learned → Phase II larger aerostat / habitat tech roadmapplanned

Want to own a workstream? Volunteer intake or open a PR against site/content/data/tasks.json.