An Investigation of Techniques for Launching Large Balloon Systems from Aircraft Or Rockets in Flight
An Investigation of Techniques for Launching Large Balloon Systems from Aircraft Or Rockets in Flight

Author: Andrew S. Carten (Jr.)

Publisher:

Published: 1973

Total Pages: 96

ISBN-13:

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The requirements for placing a military payload (communications relay, electro-optical sensor, etc.) in the sky at short notice are identified. A demonstration aircraft-launched balloon system is proposed and the basic assumptions defined. The balloon size and mass of inflatant to be carried aloft are calculated. Compressed gas and cryogenic storage systems are compared. The weight of storage tank/lift ratio is used to demonstrate the superiority of cryogenic storage. The properties of liquid helium and liquid hydrogen are discussed with respect to safe long term storage. The heat needed to vaporize the cryogens and to warm the resultant inflation gases is calculated. Methods of generating and transferring the required heat at the time of inflation are described. (Modified author abstract).

Flight Tests of the Air-Launched Balloon System (ALBS) Prototype Model
Flight Tests of the Air-Launched Balloon System (ALBS) Prototype Model

Author: Andrew S. Carten (Jr.)

Publisher:

Published: 1978

Total Pages: 140

ISBN-13:

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The requirements for the Air Launched Balloon System (ALBS) development program and the highlights of that program, prior to the flight test phase, are presented. The rationale behind an ambitious ALBS parachute subsystem test flight series, using C-130 aircraft, at the National Parachute Test Range is given, along with the initial system configuration chosen for that series. The test-demonstrated inadequacy of the 32-ft drogue chute is documented. The successes achieved subsequently in flights with a 28-ft drogue chute (in combination with the 42-ft main chute) are described, both for tests employing a dummy balloon and for later tests in which a real balloon was used. Attempts at partial balloon inflation at the NPTR are discussed. The unsolved parachute coning problem is also described, along with tests aimed at its solution. Planning and preflight preparations for the January 1978 balloon drop test over the White Sands Missile Range are covered in considerable detail. The abortive launch of that flight is related and an analysis of the reasons for the flight failure is presented. Five (5) appendices are included with supporting calculations.

Proceedings, Tenth AFGL Scientific Balloon Symposium, 21 August to 23 August 1978
Proceedings, Tenth AFGL Scientific Balloon Symposium, 21 August to 23 August 1978

Author: Catherine L. Rice

Publisher:

Published: 1979

Total Pages: 546

ISBN-13:

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This publication contains the Keynote Address and twenty-nine papers presented at the Tenth AFGL Scientific Balloon Symposium, 21-23 August 1978, at Portsmouth, NH. The five sessions were entitled: Balloon Technology - Progress and Problems; Manned Flights; Stratospheric Measurements; Airship Design Concepts; and Methods and Models.

Gas Replenishment Techniques for Use in High-altitude, Long-duration Scientific Balloon Flights
Gas Replenishment Techniques for Use in High-altitude, Long-duration Scientific Balloon Flights

Author: Andrew S. Carten (Jr.)

Publisher:

Published: 1979

Total Pages: 80

ISBN-13:

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This report covers the theoretical advantages and practical ramifications of a proposed new technique for compensating for the daily loss of lift (gamma) experienced by long-duration high-altitude scientific balloon flights. This technique, 'Gas Replenishment', would transfer stored helium from an onboard dewar to the balloon, to replace gas lost due to temperature excursions. It would be a direct substitute for systems presently in use which drop ballast, that is, reduce system gross weight, to compensate for loss of lift. (With gas replenishment, lift is restored directly, with only a small change in system gross weight. A short summary of zero-pressure balloon flight theory is given at the start, to lead into the explanation of conventional ballast practices and computations. The ballast equations are then modified to apply to the gas replenishment technique. Calculations for typical constant-gamma flights are summarized for each method of loss compensation and the clear superiority of gas replenishment is demonstrated in the areas of gross system weight of launch, usable payload weight and anticipated flight duration. Basic equations are then developed for a more complicated model of the gas replenishment system in which the value of gamma varies from day to day. Computations using these formulas are summarized in tabular form. The final section of the report is given over to the design problems associated with the type of dewar and heat exchange equipment needed to implement the gas replenishment concept. (Author).

Annotated Bibliography for Scientific Ballooning
Annotated Bibliography for Scientific Ballooning

Author: Catherine B. Rice

Publisher:

Published: 1974

Total Pages: 116

ISBN-13:

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The annotated bibliography has evolved from an informal compilation prepared in response to many requests from military and civilian researchers who were planning balloon-borne experiments and searching for data or detailed information concerning some specific aspects of modern scientific ballooning operations. The bibliography consists of three parts: a subject index, an author index, and the bibliography with annotations.