TY - GEN
T1 - Solar High-Altitude Balloons (SHAB) as a Long Duration Controllable Aerial Platform
AU - Schuler, Tristan K.
AU - Sofge, Donald
AU - Debbins, Michael G.
AU - Goolsby, Davis
AU - Crest, Joshua
AU - Pimienta, Isaac
AU - Fitch, Simon
AU - Thangavelautham, Jekan
AU - Bowman, Daniel C.
AU - Roesler, Erika L.
AU - Wheeler, Lauren B.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA. All rights reserved.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Solar balloons are a simple and lightweight option for aerial exploration and meteorological data collection both terrestrially and on other planets. By using a lightweight material that absorbs visual light and emits low levels of thermal radiation, solar balloons behave similarly to hot air balloons but can ascend to much higher altitudes. Unlike hot air balloons, which use an onboard heat source to raise the temperature of the internal air, solar balloons generate heat by absorbing solar radiation, providing a free source of lift and eliminating the need for carrying an extra tank of lighter than air gas or fuel. Recently, solar balloons have gone through many technological advancements, ranging from design to material selection to controllability. This paper discusses the results and progress of new experimental solar balloon designs that explore various envelope sizes and material selection as well as a novel mechanical vent design on the top of the balloon to store and release hot air. By including a mechanical vent, the balloons can adjust altitude to enter regions of the atmosphere with different wind flows, which can lead to limited horizontal controllability of the platform.
AB - Solar balloons are a simple and lightweight option for aerial exploration and meteorological data collection both terrestrially and on other planets. By using a lightweight material that absorbs visual light and emits low levels of thermal radiation, solar balloons behave similarly to hot air balloons but can ascend to much higher altitudes. Unlike hot air balloons, which use an onboard heat source to raise the temperature of the internal air, solar balloons generate heat by absorbing solar radiation, providing a free source of lift and eliminating the need for carrying an extra tank of lighter than air gas or fuel. Recently, solar balloons have gone through many technological advancements, ranging from design to material selection to controllability. This paper discusses the results and progress of new experimental solar balloon designs that explore various envelope sizes and material selection as well as a novel mechanical vent design on the top of the balloon to store and release hot air. By including a mechanical vent, the balloons can adjust altitude to enter regions of the atmosphere with different wind flows, which can lead to limited horizontal controllability of the platform.
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U2 - 10.2514/6.2022-0282
DO - 10.2514/6.2022-0282
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85122920123
SN - 9781624106316
T3 - AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum 2022
BT - AIAA SciTech Forum 2022
PB - American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
T2 - AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum 2022
Y2 - 3 January 2022 through 7 January 2022
ER -