Abstract: Lighter-than-air (LTA) systems and methods. The LTA may include a super-pressure balloon (SPB). A plurality of tendons may extend around and bias the SPB to a pumpkin shape. The SPB may use a compressor to provide a variable amount of ballast air by pumping in or expelling out ambient air. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) may be attached with the SPB. The ZPB may provide lift for the system. The SPB may include lifting gas and ballast air to provide both lifting and descent functions. The LTA may include a payload.

Abstract: A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.

Abstract: A parafoil for operation at high altitudes, in low density air, or at low airspeeds, and methods for opening same. Some versions of the parafoil comprise flexible members connected to the parafoil canopy. When the parafoil canopy is in a stowed configuration, the members are deformed, storing elastic energy. When the canopy is released from its stowed configuration, the members spring back to their undeformed shapes, thereby opening or assisting with opening the canopy. The flexible member may also be attached to a base structure, which is attached to the payload. The members may comprise rods or hollow tubes that can be flexed using a fulcrum near the base structure, or a spacer plate, so that the ends connected to the canopy are restrained by a parachute bag containing the stowed or packed canopy. The parachute bag can be opened prior to or during detachment of the parafoil from the flight vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. The LTA may include one or more super-pressure balloons (SPB). One or more of the SPB's may include one or more interior volumes. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive an LTA gas therein to supplement the free lift of the LTA system. There may be an adjustable valve or vent to release the LTA gas. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive ambient air to provide a variable downward force. The SPB may use a compressor to pump in ambient air. The compressor or another valve may release ambient air to decrease the downward force. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) may be attached with the one or more SPB's. The ZPB may supplement lift for the system.

Abstract: Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. The LTA may include a super-pressure balloon (SPB) and/or a zero-pressure balloon (ZPB). The SPB may include two, three, four or more chambers. There may be more than one SPB. The SPB may use a compressor to provide a variable amount of ballast air by pumping in or expelling out ambient air. The zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) may be attached with the multi-chamber SPB. The ZPB may provide lift for the system. The SPB may include lifting gas and ballast air to provide both lifting and descent functions. The SPB may have an internal barrier separating a lift gas compartment from a variable ballast air compartment.

Abstract: Features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) is attached in tandem with one or more variable ballast air super-pressure balloons (SPB) having a continuous skin and multiple SPB compartments. The ZPB provides lift for the system while the multi-compartment SPB uses a centrifugal compressor to provide a variable amount of ballast air by pumping in or expelling out ambient air. Various performance targets relating to ascent rate, descent rate, range and maximum altitude are achievable with various scaled versions of the basic design of the LTA system. Navigation and control techniques, such as high altitude station-keeping approaches, are made possible with the LTA system.

Abstract: Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. The LTA may include one or more super-pressure balloons (SPB). One or more of the SPB's may include one or more interior volumes. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive an LTA gas therein to supplement the free lift of the LTA system. There may be an adjustable valve or vent to release the LTA gas. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive ambient air to provide a variable downward force. The SPB may use a compressor to pump in ambient air. The compressor or another valve may release ambient air to decrease the downward force. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) may be attached with the one or more SPB's. The ZPB may supplement lift for the system.

Abstract: A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.

Abstract: A parafoil for operation at high altitudes, in low density air, or at low airspeeds, and methods for opening same. Some versions of the parafoil comprise flexible members connected to the parafoil canopy. When the parafoil canopy is in a stowed configuration, the members are deformed, storing elastic energy. When the canopy is released from its stowed configuration, the members spring back to their undeformed shapes, thereby opening or assisting with opening the canopy. The flexible member may also be attached to a base structure, which is attached to the payload. The members may comprise rods or hollow tubes that can be flexed using a fulcrum near the base structure, or a spacer plate, so that the ends connected to the canopy are restrained by a parachute bag containing the stowed or packed canopy. The parachute bag can be opened prior to or during detachment of the parafoil from the flight vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. The LTA may include a continuous multi-chamber super-pressure balloon (SPB). The SPB may include two, three, four or more chambers. There may be more than one such multi-chamber SPB. A ring may provide structural support between each chamber. A plurality of tendons may extend upwardly and downwardly from the ring around respective upper and lower chambers to bias each of the SPB chambers to a pumpkin shape. The SPB may use a compressor to provide a variable amount of ballast air by pumping in or expelling out ambient air. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) may be attached with the continuous multi-chamber SPB. The ZPB may provide lift for the system. The multi-chamber SPB may include lifting gas and ballast air to provide both lifting and descent functions. The SPB may have an internal barrier separating a lift gas compartment from a variable ballast air compartment.

Abstract: Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. The LTA may include one or more super-pressure balloons (SPB). One or more of the SPB's may include one or more interior volumes. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive an LTA gas therein to supplement the free lift of the LTA system. There may be an adjustable valve or vent to release the LTA gas. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive ambient air to provide a variable downward force. The SPB may use a compressor to pump in ambient air. The compressor or another valve may release ambient air to decrease the downward force. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) may be attached with the one or more SPB's. The ZPB may supplement lift for the system.

Abstract: Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. The LTA may include a continuous multi-chamber super-pressure balloon (SPB). The SPB may include two, three, four or more chambers. There may be more than one such multi-chamber SPB. A ring may provide structural support between each chamber. A plurality of tendons may extend upwardly and downwardly from the ring around respective upper and lower chambers to bias each of the SPB chambers to a pumpkin shape. The SPB may use a compressor to provide a variable amount of ballast air by pumping in or expelling out ambient air. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) may be attached with the continuous multi-chamber SPB. The ZPB may provide lift for the system. The multi-chamber SPB may include lifting gas and ballast air to provide both lifting and descent functions. The SPB may have an internal barrier separating a lift gas compartment from a variable ballast air compartment.

Abstract: A riser release system controllably lands a descending flight vehicle having a parafoil or canopy. The system has control lines and riser lines attached to the parafoil or canopy. The other end of the riser lines are attached to an upper portion of a release structure; a lower portion of the release structure is connected to the payload; and a coupling mechanisms releasably couples the upper and lower portions. When the upper and lower portions are decoupled, a distance control device controls and limits the distance of separation between the two portions, and a rate control device controls the rate of separation. Separation causes the riser lines to increase the distance between the payload and canopy, further causing the canopy to flare and decrease the rate of descent of the flight vehicle.

Abstract: A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.

Abstract: Described are a parafoil for operation at high altitudes, in low density air, or at low airspeeds, and methods for opening same. The parafoil comprises flexible members connected to the parafoil canopy. When the parafoil canopy is in a stowed configuration, the members are deformed, storing elastic energy. When the canopy is released from its stowed configuration, the members spring back to their undeformed shapes, thereby opening or assisting with opening the canopy. The flexible members may also be attached to a base structure, which is attached to the payload. The members may comprise rods or hollow tubes that can be flexed using a fulcrum near the base structure, or a spacer plate, so that the ends connected to the canopy are restrained by a parachute bag containing the stowed or packed canopy. The parachute bag can be opened prior to or during detachment of the parafoil from the flight vehicle.

Abstract: A high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system can include a zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) attached in tandem with one or more variable ballast air super-pressure balloons (SPB). The ZPB provides lift for the system while the SPB uses a centrifugal compressor to provide a variable amount of ballast air by pumping in or expelling out ambient air. A solar array coupled with an elongated ladder assembly can be coupled to a payload support for a payload carried by the LTA system. Various advanced performance targets relating to ascent rate, descent rate, range and maximum altitude are achievable with various scaled versions of the basic design of the LTA system. Advanced navigation and control techniques, such as efficient high altitude station-keeping approaches, are made possible with the LTA system.