The material selection process and the development of a new fabrication method for stratospheric superpressure balloons are outlined. An adhesive tape sealing method was developed for fabrication of balloons with nylon 6. These new procedures were used for the construction of two small prototypes and two balloons 23.2 m in diameter. The first balloon was thoroughly inspected in an indoor full inflation test. After inspection, the balloon was deflated and delivered to a launch site where the first test flight was conducted. The balloon had ascended to its float altitude when an electronic malfunction caused a premature termination of the flight. An attempt to launch a second balloon on 8 Feb. 1991 resulted in a canceled flight due to damage sustained during balloon inflation. The details of the damage and the subsequent changes are described. The future of superpressure balloon design and contruction is discussed with special attention made to newly available materials.
Nylon 6 Superpressure Balloons
1991
5 pages
Report
No indication
English
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