Abstract: A balloon-launching apparatus includes a plurality of housing sections each formed in a box shape having an opening that opens in an upper part thereof and configured to house a balloon. The housing section launches the balloon from the opening, and the plurality of housing sections is arranged in a matrix shape.

Abstract: A canister for housing a balloon and a radiosonde to be released into the atmosphere includes a case, a balloon detaching mechanism, and a gas passage. The case includes first to third housing chambers arranged side by side in a horizontal direction. The first to third housing chambers are in communication with one another in an upper part of the case. The balloon detaching mechanism is connected to the balloon and is configured to detach the balloon when the balloon is released. The gas passage introduces a gas into the balloon to inflate the balloon. The balloon detaching mechanism and the gas passage are housed in the second housing chamber disposed between the first housing chamber and the third housing chamber. The first housing chamber houses the radiosonde connected to the balloon via a rope. The third housing chamber houses part of the balloon connected to the balloon detaching mechanism.

Abstract: A canister for housing a balloon and a radiosonde to be released into the atmosphere includes a case, a balloon detaching mechanism, and a gas passage. The case includes first to third housing chambers arranged side by side in a horizontal direction. The first to third housing chambers are in communication with one another in an upper part of the case. The balloon detaching mechanism is connected to the balloon and is configured to detach the balloon when the balloon is released. The gas passage introduces a gas into the balloon to inflate the balloon. The balloon detaching mechanism and the gas passage are housed in the second housing chamber disposed between the first housing chamber and the third housing chamber. The first housing chamber houses the radiosonde connected to the balloon via a rope. The third housing chamber houses part of the balloon connected to the balloon detaching mechanism.

Abstract: A spacecraft 10 includes wings 11 or an airframe 12 which generates lift in an atmosphere 2, a thruster 14 which accelerates or decelerates rotating speed in an orbit, an attitude controller 16 which controls an attitude of the airframe 12, and an orbital plane controller 18 which controls the orbital plane change. The orbital plane controller causes the spacecraft 10 to enter the earth's atmosphere 2 within a pre-change orbital plane Fb (A?B?C), changes the orbital plane by using the lift of the wings 11 or airframe 12 in the earth's atmosphere 2 (C?D?E), and then lifts the spacecraft 10 up to the post-change orbital altitude (E?F).

Abstract: Provided is a balloon-launching apparatus capable of reducing an increase in the size of the apparatus when a large number of housing sections for housing observation balloons are provided. A balloon-launching apparatus 1 includes a plurality of housing sections 41 each formed in a box shape having an opening 321 that opens in an upper part thereof and configured to house a balloon 21, the housing section 41 launching the balloon 21 from the opening 321. The plurality of housing sections 41 are arranged in a matrix shape. Due to the matrix arrangement of the housing sections 41, the balloon-launching apparatus 1 can reduce the creation of dead space even when a large number of the housing sections 41 are disposed and can thus reduce an increase in the size of the balloon-launching apparatus 1.

Abstract: A spacecraft 10 includes wings 11 or an airframe 12 which generates lift in an atmosphere 2, a thruster 14 which accelerates or decelerates rotating speed in an orbit, an attitude controller 16 which controls an attitude of the airframe 12, and an orbital plane controller 18 which controls the orbital plane change. The orbital plane controller causes the spacecraft 10 to enter the earth's atmosphere 2 within a pre-change orbital plane Fb (A?B?C), changes the orbital plane by using the lift of the wings 11 or airframe 12 in the earth's atmosphere 2 (C?D?E), and then lifts the spacecraft 10 up to the post-change orbital altitude (E?F).