PERFORMANCE, ANALYSIS AND SELECTION OF BALLOON ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS.
Abstract
The weights of selected 200- and 4000-watt power systems for tethered and free balloons are presented as a function of operating time at altitudes of 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, and 50,000 ft. For tethered balloons, the 8-kv cable system weighs less than any other system that could be made available within 18 months. The microwave rectenna systems, when developed, would weigh appreciably less than the high-voltage cable system at 200 watts. The margin of performance of the 4-kw microwave rectenna system over the high-voltage cable system should be significant, particularly at 30,000- and 50,000-ft altitudes. For free balloons, which cannot use the preferred tethered cable or microwave rectenna systems, the minimum weight power system is the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell for operating times of 50 hours or less. The solar-cell/fuel-cell combination is superior for operating times of 50 hours or more at the 4-kw level and 120 hours or more at the 200-watt level. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0682898
Entities
People
- Robert C. Hamilton
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses