MikeSmithLCANS.ppt.pptVIP

Technical and Operational Enablers for Low Cost Balloon FlightsMike Smith, Senior Aerospace EngineerAerostar International, Inc.Aerospace Products DepartmentSulphur Springs, TX 75482(903) 438-3106msmith@ Summary Brief history background overview Capabilities of free flying balloons Elements of a balloon program Non-technical elements Real world examples Recipe for success Genealogy of US Stratospheric Ballooning Raven Industries: Depth and Diversity Aerostar: Full range of capabilities The Stratospheric Balloon Routinely and reliably used to carry science payloads to altitudes over 100 kft since the late 1940’s. Standard Balloon Performance Balloon size for 4000 lb payload Ground Based Launch Ops Scenarios Rubber Weather Balloons Relatively inexpensive Payload up to 10 lbs with typical balloon sizes Typically ascend to burst, but can be vavled into float Launched fully inflated – material stretches as gas expands Plastic Zero Pressure $1k to $100k Payload capability to the thousands of pounds Ascends to float passively by venting through ducts full ascent rate up to float Launched partially inflated balloon inflates as gas expands Weather Balloon Launch Small Balloon Launch Typical Large Balloon Launch 120 lb payload launch in 15 kt wind Sea Launch Possibility Aerostar/Raven has conducted two successful campaigns of shipboard operations in the Eglin Test Range One of the flight trains was over 500 ft tall. Payload Recovery Options Stratospheric Winds Balloons travel generally west in the summer Balloons travel generally east in the winter Winds are light and variable in the spring and fall “turnaround” periods Winds can be very light in the 65kft to 70 kft layer in the summer (0 to 20 kt) Winter winds in this layer are generally easterly and light, but can be quite strong for short periods Bridging the Gap Small Balloon Price Performance Integrated Telemetry System (ITS) High Altitude Balloon Mission Management System and wide area telemetry and c