Long Duration Balloon Technology Survey. Phase 1
Abstract
This feasibility study addresses the design and fabrication of a long endurance balloon vehicle capable of supporting 50 pounds at 120,000 feet for up to one year. The concept makes use of the experience gained by the scientific community over the past two decades in flying smaller payloads for long periods of time. The result of the effort is a prototype balloon which has a better lift to weight ratio than previous designs. This was achieved by the use of a novel shape (multiple intersecting spheres) and the use of a material new in the area of ballooning (Emblem, a biaxially oriented Nylon 6). This film demonstrates very high strength without displaying the susceptibility of prior films to pinholing. Other results of the effort are two analytical tools and specialized fabrication techniques. The analytical tools are a heat transfer model for predicting maximum and minimum super-temperatures of the balloon gas, and mechanical model to design the superpressure balloons for particular flight scenarios.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 17, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA206975
Entities
People
- James L. Rand
- James S. Wilbeck
- Pamela G. Scott
- Richard H. Brezinsky
- Thomas M. Lew