A Balloon Design for 9000 Pounds at 90,000 Feet: Recommendations Based on Heavy-Load Balloon History.

Abstract

The history of the development of free balloons to carry heavy payloads into the stratosphere is reviewed with the objective of developing a design based on existing technologies for a balloon to carry 9000 lb to 90,000 ft. Reinforced polyester balloons, in tandem balloon configurations, are discussed with respect to materials, design criteria, and performance. The problem of launch dynamics for single cell polyethylene balloons is also discussed and it is concluded that a capped single cell polyethylene balloon can be dynamically launched, successfully, with the 9000-lb payload. Further, it is concluded that the single cell polyethylene balloon is the best means to meet the objective. Specifications for such a balloon are provided.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 09, 1983
Accession Number
ADA131987

Entities

People

  • James F. Dwyer

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adhesives
  • Air Force
  • Altitude
  • Bursting Strength
  • Dielectric Polymers
  • Fibers
  • Films
  • High Altitude
  • Laminates
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Physical Properties
  • Shape
  • Stresses
  • Tensile Strength
  • Thermal Conductivity
  • Two Dimensional

Readers

  • Fault Tolerant Diagnosis of Black and White Balloon Isolation Tests Using ¥.
  • Materials Science
  • Nanocomposite Materials Science

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites