A number of concepts for balloon altitude control have been developed such that temperature differentials in a planet's atmosphere can be used to provide the energy necessary to ascend and descend. In the most promising concepts, a fluid is evaporated in the lower, warmer atmosphere, thus filling a balloon and generating buoyancy for ascent. The fluid condenses in the upper, cooler atmosphere, thus decreasing buoyancy and allowing redescent. Although the concept was originally developed to explore the atmosphere of Venus, the same principles are valid for almost all gaseous planets. A series of test flights has been successfully conducted on Earth in which a ballon system made multiple ascents and descents between a 5-km altitude and a 10-km altitude. Possible future Earth applications include weather forecasting and pollution studies.
Reversible fluid balloon altitude control concepts
Konzepte zur reversiblen Fluhöhenregelung von Fluid-Flugballons
1995
5 Seiten, 7 Bilder, 11 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
Reversible fluid balloon altitude control concepts
AIAA | 1995
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NTRS | 2019
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