That’s where Project Starry Skies comes in. A network of ground cameras records when and where contrails form. These cameras offer an unexpected but powerful source of data for contrail research.
"The idea sparked at a contrail workshop two years ago," Dallara said. A discussion about a roof-mounted meteor detection camera led to the realization that similar cameras could be used to spot contrails at night.
The technology works by capturing videos of the sky, then using a mix of human review and artificial intelligence to detect contrails across thousands of images. Engineers match these observations with flight tracking data to figure out which planes made which contrails. The assessment helps improve forecasts of the humidity where aircraft fly, which is the key factor in determining whether contrails will form and persist. Currently, predictions of these conditions are broad and lack the accuracy needed for detailed altitude guidance.
Project Starry Skies involves deep collaboration between Boeing and university partners, through which both groups are learning and innovating together. Boeing teams are working closely with experts from Western University (Canada), which has long-standing experience operating sky-facing camera networks for meteor detection and space situational awareness.
“University partnerships let us tap extensive expertise beyond Boeing’s core technical areas,” Dallara said. “Their collaboration has accelerated our progress and enriched our understanding.”
