Requirements:
Must penetrate a headwind with smallest possible altitude loss to make up for balloon drift. Need to simulate mission profile with real winds aloft data.
Must be able to start flying at highest altitude possible to maximize useful research time at higher altitudes.
Payload bay to be large and modular to accommodate any of the following: radiosonde, power pack and motor, instrumentation, camera aimed at horizon ±90° and pan.
Payload bay to offer access to front, rear, top, and bottom of aircraft to maximize versatility of sensor/camera/antenna installations.
Planforms:
Flying wing or blended wing body
Pro: Efficient volume usage, larger payload layout, greater structural integrity with fewer appendages to break off.
Con: Trickier to design than traditional wing+tail.
Traditional forward wing and rear tail
Pro: Easiest to design and most documented from aerodynamics stand point.
Con: Not the most efficient (tail is unnecessary drag)
Canard
Pro: Efficient, can be made 'stall proof'
Con: