Design of a Long Duration Stratospheric Ballon for Heavy Payloads
- Paper number
IAC-08.E2.1.7
- Author
Mr. Alexandre Berthou, France
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Balloons, an original means of transport, offer the possibility to carry scientific payloads to study atmosphere and environment providing access to altitude levels in the stratosphere beyond the flight envelope of an airplane. CNES developed 8,5 to 12 metres-diameter spherical stratospheric pressurised balloon (SPB) capable of carrying a maximal payload of 50 kg during several months between 17 km and 22 km, depending on the mission requirements. The design concept underlying these balloons has almost reached its maximum capabilities in terms of suspended mass. Other concepts of balloon should be studied in order to attain more demanding objectives regarding payload mass, flight duration and altitude level. Three different design options are under examination: firstly, the increase of the balloon diameter, (from 12 to 16 metres); secondly, combining several balloons in a cluster and finally, re activating the pumpkin-balloon concept. The later type of aerostat has already been studied during the late seventies at CNES. In this internship project, the concept: of pumpkin-balloon is studied with the objectives of analyzing the mechanical behaviour of the balloon envelope and estimating the efficiency of this balloon design with respect to the spherical balloon type (SPB). Detailed mechanical analysis and performance evaluation will be presented in the full paper. The preliminary parametric study leads to the conclusion that pumpkin-balloons are more efficient than the SPB, essentially if we compare the super pressure level that can be applied inside the balloon (splitting of the mechanical and tightness functions). If the material used is the same as the SPB’s one, pumpkin balloons are able to support twice the SPB’s super pressure level. This advantage would allow the pumpkin balloon to be less sensitive to atmospheric variations such as night to day transitions. Consequently, the pumpkin balloon would show less variation in the float altitude than SPB and would increase the mission spectrum of pressurised balloons.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.E2.1.7.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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