Activities remain high with respect to balloon related technology. These include
both terrestrial and extra-terrestrial balloon developments as well as development
of support systems such as power systems, trajectory control, telecommunication
systems, and flight control systems.
Technology development has progressed in advanced materials, balloon design,
modeling methods, testing methods, and mission concepts. This work is funded
through several mechanisms either directly from the NASA Balloon Program or
through Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contracts, GSFC Director’s
Discretionary Funds (DDF), GSFC Internal Research and Development (IRAD)
and other sources.
The following are a few examples of improvements in technology.
3.5.1 Loon Trajectory Control
Progress is continuing in the area of controlling the trajectory of a balloon. Some
innovations are operational, such as the use of super-pressure balloons to control
the altitude of zero-pressure balloons. Some technologies are more advanced but
haven’t yet been accepted over those used by the commercial balloon world such
as Loon. See Section 5.1 for details.
Free balloons carrying science instruments typically drift freely in the prevailing
wind at the operating altitude. In many cases, their launch must be delayed until
forecast winds are projected to carry the balloon system either into an area that is
of interest, or away from a forbidden zone. Frequently, such balloon flights must be
terminated prematurely to preclude flying over countries that have not given overflight permission, or to ensure that the payload descends into an appropriate landing
site, or to avoid endangering populated regions. Even a small amount of trajectory
control capability could eliminate these reasons to terminate the flight early.
A Trajectory Control System (TCS) that is suspended well below a balloon to
take advantage of natural wind differences and provide a lateral aerodynamic
force can be used to control the trajectory of the balloon. Such an approach:
• Offers increased balloon operations flexibility and cost reduction.
• Permits the balloon to remain at a fixed (or nearly fixed) altitude.
• Avoids overflight of uncooperative countries.
• Increases number of potential landing sites.
• Enables the balloon to travel over desired locations.
• Passively exploits the natural wind conditions.
• Does not require consumables (such as ballast).
• Avoids payload disturbances caused by propulsive trajectory control
methods.
• Requires very little electrical power.
• Operates day and night.
• Offers a wide range of control directions regardless of wind conditions.
• Can be made of lightweight materials.
60 Balloon Elements
both terrestrial and extra-terrestrial balloon developments as well as development
of support systems such as power systems, trajectory control, telecommunication
systems, and flight control systems.
Technology development has progressed in advanced materials, balloon design,
modeling methods, testing methods, and mission concepts. This work is funded
through several mechanisms either directly from the NASA Balloon Program or
through Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contracts, GSFC Director’s
Discretionary Funds (DDF), GSFC Internal Research and Development (IRAD)
and other sources.
The following are a few examples of improvements in technology.
3.5.1 Loon Trajectory Control
Progress is continuing in the area of controlling the trajectory of a balloon. Some
innovations are operational, such as the use of super-pressure balloons to control
the altitude of zero-pressure balloons. Some technologies are more advanced but
haven’t yet been accepted over those used by the commercial balloon world such
as Loon. See Section 5.1 for details.
Free balloons carrying science instruments typically drift freely in the prevailing
wind at the operating altitude. In many cases, their launch must be delayed until
forecast winds are projected to carry the balloon system either into an area that is
of interest, or away from a forbidden zone. Frequently, such balloon flights must be
terminated prematurely to preclude flying over countries that have not given overflight permission, or to ensure that the payload descends into an appropriate landing
site, or to avoid endangering populated regions. Even a small amount of trajectory
control capability could eliminate these reasons to terminate the flight early.
A Trajectory Control System (TCS) that is suspended well below a balloon to
take advantage of natural wind differences and provide a lateral aerodynamic
force can be used to control the trajectory of the balloon. Such an approach:
• Offers increased balloon operations flexibility and cost reduction.
• Permits the balloon to remain at a fixed (or nearly fixed) altitude.
• Avoids overflight of uncooperative countries.
• Increases number of potential landing sites.
• Enables the balloon to travel over desired locations.
• Passively exploits the natural wind conditions.
• Does not require consumables (such as ballast).
• Avoids payload disturbances caused by propulsive trajectory control
methods.
• Requires very little electrical power.
• Operates day and night.
• Offers a wide range of control directions regardless of wind conditions.
• Can be made of lightweight materials.
60 Balloon Elements