Description
Book SynopsisStratospheric balloons are powerful tools used to study the Earth and its atmosphere, as well as the greater cosmos beyond. This book describes the science and technology behind modern stratospheric ballooning, along with the surprising ways it has impacted our daily lives.
The book takes you through every step of the process, starting with an in-depth introduction to basic balloon types and their uses before delving into balloon construction and mission planning. Along the way, you will learn about the novel technologies that have radically changed these balloons and their ability to launch, control and navigate them over specific ground targets. Next follows an exploration of their incredible applications, including research in atmospheric science, cosmology and astronomy, earth studies, meteorology, and aerobiology, and also commercial capabilities such as Internet networks and high-altitude tourism.
The community of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs involved in stratospheric ballooning is only ever growing. This book shows you how these national and international efforts have truly soared in recent years, and it will be an enjoyable read for anybody interested in learning more about how science and commerce are conducted in the stratosphere, at the edge of space.
Table of ContentsNote: The final Contents will only go to two digits; the three digits shown only serve to help the editor and I keep track of the text. Not all areas have been researched down to three digits.
Frontispiece
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Preface
1 Introduction
2 Stratospheric Balloon Descriptions
2.1 Types
2.2 Zero Pressure Balloons
2.2.1 Ultra High Altitude Balloons
2.3 Super Pressure Balloons
2.3.1 Program Goals
2.3.2 The Balloon
2.3.3 Size and Shape
2.3.4 Test Flights
2.3.5 The Future
2.4 Long and Ultra Long Duration Balloons
2.4.1 Long Duration Balloons
2.4.2 Ultra Long Duration Balloons
2.5 Commercial Stratospheric Balloons
2.5.1 Loon
2.5.2 World View
2.5.3 Space Perspective
2.5.4 Raven Aerostar
2.5.5 Near Space
2.5.6 International Corporations and Others
3 Balloon Elements
3.1 Balloon Envelopes
3.1.1 Schjeldahl/Winzen
3.1.2 Raven Aerostar
3.1.3 World View
3.1.4 Near Space
3.1.5 Other Balloon Envelopes
3.1.6 Ultra Thin Films
3.2 Parachutes
3.2.1 The Basic Design
3.2.2 Raven Aerostar
3.2.3 World View
3.2.4 Other Manufacturers
3.3 Instrument Carriers/Gondolas
3.3.1 CSBF
3.3.2 Sage Cheshire Aerospace
3.3.3 Space Perspective
3.4 Support Equipment 3.4.1 Ground
3.4.2 Flight
3.5 Technology Examples
3.5.1 Trajectory Control
3.5.2 Other Trajectory Control
3.5.3 Future Technology Needs
4 Mission Drivers and Operations
4.1 Drivers
4.1.1 Pre-Mission
4.1.2 Requirements and Constraints
4.1.3 Range and Safety
4.1.4 Overflight Planning
4.1.5 Weather Forecasts
4.2 Mission Operations
4.2.1 Real-Time Planning and Coordination
4.2.2 Flight Safety
4.2.3 Real-Time Weather and Winds
4.2.4 Command & Control
4.2.5 Recovery Operations
4.2.6 Post Flight Analysis
5 Commercial Corporations and Applications
5.1 Loon
5.1.1 Historical Timeline
5.1.2 Equipment
5.1.3 Software
5.1.4 Collaboration
5.2 World View Enterprises
5.2.1 Stratollites
5.2.2 Stratocraft
5.2.3 Pointing Control
5.2.4 Ballast and Attitude Control
5.3 Space Perspective
5.4 Raven Aerostar
5.4.1 Flight Services
5.4.2 Field Support
5.4.3 Training Program
5.4.4 Flight Systems
5.4.5 Airships
5.4.6 Parachutes
5.4.7 Tracking
5.5 Near Space Corporation
5.5.1 Flight Operations
5.5.2 Manufacturing
5.6 Stratobus
5.7 Zero to Infinity
5.7.1 Boostar
5.8 ISTAR
5.8.1 Long Duration Balloon
5.8.2 Circumpolar Flight
5.8.3 Antarctic Flight
5.9 HASP
5.9.1 Purpose
6 Launch Sites
6.1 U.S.
6.2 International
7 Scientific Flight Types
7.1 Atmosphere
7.1.1 Earth Radiation Budget
7.1.2 Aeronomy
7.1.3 Aerobiology
7.1.4 Polar Mesospheric Clouds (PMCs)
7.2 Earth Studies
7.3 Solar, Astronomy and Cosmology
7.3.1 BOOMERANG
7.3.2 superTIGER
7.4 Instrument and Technology Development
7.4.1 BOBCAT
7.4.2
7.5 Recent and Future Flights
7.5.1 2017-2020 Flights
7.5.2 COSI
7.5.3 GUSTO
7.5.4 ASTHROS
8 Accomplishments
8.1 Scientific Discovery Examples
8.1.1 Earth and Atmosphere
8.1.2 Cosmology
8.2 Commercial Successes
8.2.1Internet Service
8.2.2 Sensors
8.2.3 Ground Support Equipment (auto launchers)
8.3 Country Accomplishments
9 The Balloon World
9.1 Scientific Organizations
9.1.1 Wallops Flight Facility
9.1.2 Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility
9.1.3 Support Contractors
9.1.4 National Science Foundation
9.1.5 National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration
9.1.6 JPL
9.1.7 NMSU
9.2 University Scientists and Students
9.2.1 High Altitude Student Platform (HASP)
9.2.2 Scientists Flight Examples
9.3 International Organizations and Countries
9.3.1 Canadian Space Agency
9.3.2 CNES
9.3.3 Japanese Space Agency
9.3.4 European Union
9.3.5 ESA/Sweden/Germany
9.3.6 Thales Alenia/Hispasat/Leonardo
9.3.7 The Netherlands
9.3.8 India
9.3.9 Brazil
9.3.10 Australia
9.4 Military and Security
9.4.1 Air Force
9.4.2 Space Data
9.4.3 Security and Utilities
10 Educating the Next Generation
10.1 Funding Sources
10.1.1 NASA
10.1.2 NSF
10.1.3 Battelle
10.2 Examples of Balloon Education Programs
10.2 1University of Wyoming LIFT
10.2.2 Sisters High School RISE
10.2.3 University of Nebraska Omaha
10.2.4 EOSS/University of Colorado
10.2.5 New Mexico State University
10.3 Examples of Corporate Educational Programs
10.3.1 Raven Aerospace
10.3.2 StratoStar
10.4 Youthful Entrepreneurs
11 Conclusions
Appendices (Potential as time and space permits)
Appendix 1 A Brief History of the NSBF/CSBF
Appendix 2 Scientists and Engineers
Appendix 3 Network and Internet Communications
Appendix 4 Short Stories
Appendix 5 Quotes
Appendix 6 Planetary Balloons
References, Internet Links and Videos
Glossary and Terminology
About the Author
Index
