A method is described to stabilize a reflector in the upper atmosphere to reflect solar irradiance back into Space before it can be absorbed or scattered by Earth's atmosphere. Thin reflective sheets are flown under control in the upper atmosphere above Earth, in contrast to reflecting from Space orbits or the ground. The high altitude enables nearly total reflection. This embodiment uses buoyant aerostatic lift and pneumatic pressure to support and hold sheets stretched while providing aerostatic lift. During the daytime solar power is used to provide energy for propulsion and gain altitude by volume expansion. During the night the aerostatic lift holds the system above controlled airspace. Edgewise gliding permits seasonal movement of the system and station-keeping. In one example application, a swarm of aerostatically stabilized reflectors placed around the edge of the Antarctic continent will reduce summer melting of ice, in order to reverse the rise in sea level.
Aerostatically Stabilized Atmospheric Reflector To Reduce Solar Irradiance
2020-12-10
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | G02B Optische Elemente, Systeme oder Geräte , OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS / A01G Gartenbau , HORTICULTURE / B64B LIGHTER-THAN-AIR AIRCRAFT , Luftfahrzeuge leichter als Luft / B64C AEROPLANES , Flugzeuge / B64D Ausrüstung für Flugzeuge , EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT / B64F GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT , Boden- oder Flugzeugträgerdeckeinrichtungen besonders ausgebildet für die Verwendung in Verbindung mit Luftfahrzeugen |
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