Project ASTRO: An Investigation of the Use of Solar Heating to Improve the Performance of Polyurethane Balloons.
Abstract
The report presents investigations relative to the use of polyurethane film for fabrication of expandable envelopes to achieve very high altitude balloon flight; the altitude goal is 180,000 feet. Evaluation was made of the exponential-hyperbolic elasticity parameters for dental dam rubber and preliminary estimates as to the physical limitations of polyurethane film relative to its cold brittleness capacity were made. A preliminary evaluation by mock-up was made as to the temperature elevation to be expected in pertinent parts of a tinted balloon envelope as it is held in the launch arm during the inflation process. Balloon flight profiles with superpressure initiation at 90,000 feet were also analysed showing the relative performance of tinted versus untinted polyurethane film.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0762803
Entities
People
- A. D. Struble