“We are gearing up to launch our near space data mission the 2xGriffon from Illinois to the stratosphere and we want to tell you about it”
Jeremy David Higgs, a US Army veteran, is a visionary tech entrepreneur, award-winning programmer, developer, and author whose career bridges the practical worlds of code with the profound mysteries of the cosmos. With decades of experience in software, electronics, data visualization, and emerging aerospace technologies, Jeremy has established himself as a leader in innovative, hands-on engineering and open science.
As CEO of Midwest Stratospheric Data Systems (MSDS), an aerospace research company headquartered in Portland, Oregon with operations in Casey, Illinois, Jeremy leads the development of custom high-altitude balloon (HAB) payloads and mid-altitude drift platforms. His lightweight x2Griffon payload (just 1.01 lbs, Midwest-made) integrates APRS/GPS telemetry and supports rapid-turnaround atmospheric data collection for public release. A licensed ham radio operator (KE9CFY), he combines regulatory expertise, electronics prototyping, and web development to create interactive data portals, mission simulators, and citizen science tools.
Jeremy’s earlier achievements include founding Net Diatom (NetDynam), where he earned a Global Web Award for groundbreaking COVID-19 data visualization work using Tableau, drawing from WHO and Johns Hopkins datasets. He also successfully litigated and won a landmark case against Facebook in 2022. His metaphysical perspective shines in his authorship of Between Code and Cosmos, which explores the intersections of technology, consciousness, and the universe.
A passionate advocate for open data, environmental stewardship, and DIY innovation, Jeremy contributes to personal weather station networks, and creates engaging content around robotics, AI, and citizen science. Whether building satirical Tesla Optimus clones for online communities or mentoring through the Stratospheric Ballooning Association, he embodies a unique blend of technical rigor, creative storytelling, and cosmic curiosity.
