Design and Fabrication of a Balloon for Powdered Flight in the Minimum Wind Field.
Abstract
The project was concerned with the design and fabrication of a balloon capable of carrying a 3500 lb. payload at an altitude of 60,000 feet to demonstrate the feasibility of powering a free balloon near the minimum wind field. For this purpose five balloons were fabricated based on a design in accordance with the specifications of Section F of The Schedule. The balloon, which has a diameter of 118.66 feet and a gore length of 174.87 feet, has a double-wall construction consisting of 83 integrally sealed gores of 1.5 mil film material. In order to provide a smoother surface to the air flow, the bottom half of the balloon was tailored to a natural shape in place of the usual tapered tangent construction. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 12, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0750542
Entities
People
- Jean R. Nelson
- Peter J. Osborne