Flight Tests of the Air-Launched Balloon System (ALBS) Prototype Model

Flight Tests of the Air-Launched Balloon System (ALBS) Prototype Model PDF Author: Andrew S. Carten (Jr.)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Balloons
Languages : en
Pages : 140

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Book Description
The requirements for the Air Launched Balloon System (ALBS) development program and the highlights of that program, prior to the flight test phase, are presented. The rationale behind an ambitious ALBS parachute subsystem test flight series, using C-130 aircraft, at the National Parachute Test Range is given, along with the initial system configuration chosen for that series. The test-demonstrated inadequacy of the 32-ft drogue chute is documented. The successes achieved subsequently in flights with a 28-ft drogue chute (in combination with the 42-ft main chute) are described, both for tests employing a dummy balloon and for later tests in which a real balloon was used. Attempts at partial balloon inflation at the NPTR are discussed. The unsolved parachute coning problem is also described, along with tests aimed at its solution. Planning and preflight preparations for the January 1978 balloon drop test over the White Sands Missile Range are covered in considerable detail. The abortive launch of that flight is related and an analysis of the reasons for the flight failure is presented. Five (5) appendices are included with supporting calculations.

Flight Tests of the Air-Launched Balloon System (ALBS) Prototype Model

Flight Tests of the Air-Launched Balloon System (ALBS) Prototype Model PDF Author: Andrew S. Carten (Jr.)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Balloons
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The requirements for the Air Launched Balloon System (ALBS) development program and the highlights of that program, prior to the flight test phase, are presented. The rationale behind an ambitious ALBS parachute subsystem test flight series, using C-130 aircraft, at the National Parachute Test Range is given, along with the initial system configuration chosen for that series. The test-demonstrated inadequacy of the 32-ft drogue chute is documented. The successes achieved subsequently in flights with a 28-ft drogue chute (in combination with the 42-ft main chute) are described, both for tests employing a dummy balloon and for later tests in which a real balloon was used. Attempts at partial balloon inflation at the NPTR are discussed. The unsolved parachute coning problem is also described, along with tests aimed at its solution. Planning and preflight preparations for the January 1978 balloon drop test over the White Sands Missile Range are covered in considerable detail. The abortive launch of that flight is related and an analysis of the reasons for the flight failure is presented. Five (5) appendices are included with supporting calculations.

Flight Tests of the Air-Launched Balloon System (ALBS) Prototype Model

Flight Tests of the Air-Launched Balloon System (ALBS) Prototype Model PDF Author: Andrew S. Carten
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Balloons
Languages : en
Pages : 135

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Book Description
The requirements for the Air Launched Balloon System (ALBS) development program and the highlights of that program, prior to the flight test phase, are presented. The rationale behind an ambitious ALBS parachute subsystem test flight series, using C-130 aircraft, at the National Parachute Test Range is given, along with the initial system configuration chosen for that series. The test-demonstrated inadequacy of the 32-ft drogue chute is documented. The successes achieved subsequently in flights with a 28-ft drogue chute (in combination with the 42-ft main chute) are described, both for tests employing a dummy balloon and for later tests in which a real balloon was used. Attempts at partial balloon inflation at the NPTR are discussed. The unsolved parachute coning problem is also described, along with tests aimed at its solution. Planning and preflight preparations for the January 1978 balloon drop test over the White Sands Missile Range are covered in considerable detail. The abortive launch of that flight is related and an analysis of the reasons for the flight failure is presented. Five (5) appendices are included with supporting calculations.

The Flight Test Aspects of the Air-Launched Balloon System (ALBS) Development Program

The Flight Test Aspects of the Air-Launched Balloon System (ALBS) Development Program PDF Author: Andrew S. Carten (Jr.)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Balloons
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The Air Launched Balloon System (ALBS) development history is traced and the circumstances leading up to planned ALBS flight tests are described, including a report on successful tests of the cryogenic storage subsystem. The theoretical performance of a candidate parachute development system--35-ft (10. 67 m) diameter ring sail drogue, 64-ft (19.51 m) diameter flat circular main chute--is mathematically analyzed using a number of stated assumptions. Contingency arrangements (e.g., use of ballast) and their impact are discussed. Data indicate that the ALBS mid-air deployment concepts require experimental proof-of-concept testing to ensure optimum component selection. Parachute subsystem verification tests planned for the autumn of 1976 at El Centro, Calif., are outlined along with plans for partial and complete ALBS system test drops from a carrier balloon in 1977 at White Sands Missile Range.

Proceedings, Tenth AFGL Scientific Balloon Symposium, 21 August to 23 August 1978

Proceedings, Tenth AFGL Scientific Balloon Symposium, 21 August to 23 August 1978 PDF Author: Catherine L. Rice
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Balloons
Languages : en
Pages : 546

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Book Description
This publication contains the Keynote Address and twenty-nine papers presented at the Tenth AFGL Scientific Balloon Symposium, 21-23 August 1978, at Portsmouth, NH. The five sessions were entitled: Balloon Technology - Progress and Problems; Manned Flights; Stratospheric Measurements; Airship Design Concepts; and Methods and Models.

Instrumentation Papers

Instrumentation Papers PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aeronautical instruments
Languages : en
Pages : 328

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Book Description


Report on Research at AFCRL.

Report on Research at AFCRL. PDF Author: Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories (U.S.)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Geophysics
Languages : en
Pages : 228

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Gas Replenishment Techniques for Use in High-altitude, Long-duration Scientific Balloon Flights

Gas Replenishment Techniques for Use in High-altitude, Long-duration Scientific Balloon Flights PDF Author: Andrew S. Carten (Jr.)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aerostatics
Languages : en
Pages : 80

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Book Description
This report covers the theoretical advantages and practical ramifications of a proposed new technique for compensating for the daily loss of lift (gamma) experienced by long-duration high-altitude scientific balloon flights. This technique, 'Gas Replenishment', would transfer stored helium from an onboard dewar to the balloon, to replace gas lost due to temperature excursions. It would be a direct substitute for systems presently in use which drop ballast, that is, reduce system gross weight, to compensate for loss of lift. (With gas replenishment, lift is restored directly, with only a small change in system gross weight. A short summary of zero-pressure balloon flight theory is given at the start, to lead into the explanation of conventional ballast practices and computations. The ballast equations are then modified to apply to the gas replenishment technique. Calculations for typical constant-gamma flights are summarized for each method of loss compensation and the clear superiority of gas replenishment is demonstrated in the areas of gross system weight of launch, usable payload weight and anticipated flight duration. Basic equations are then developed for a more complicated model of the gas replenishment system in which the value of gamma varies from day to day. Computations using these formulas are summarized in tabular form. The final section of the report is given over to the design problems associated with the type of dewar and heat exchange equipment needed to implement the gas replenishment concept. (Author).

The Flight Test Aspects of the Air-Launched Balloon System (ALBS) Development Program

The Flight Test Aspects of the Air-Launched Balloon System (ALBS) Development Program PDF Author: Andrew S. Carten
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Balloons
Languages : en
Pages : 84

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Book Description
The Air Launched Balloon System (ALBS) development history is traced and the circumstances leading up to planned ALBS flight tests are described, including a report on successful tests of the cryogenic storage subsystem. The theoretical performance of a candidate parachute development system--35-ft (10. 67 m) diameter ring sail drogue, 64-ft (19.51 m) diameter flat circular main chute--is mathematically analyzed using a number of stated assumptions. Contingency arrangements (e.g., use of ballast) and their impact are discussed. Data indicate that the ALBS mid-air deployment concepts require experimental proof-of-concept testing to ensure optimum component selection. Parachute subsystem verification tests planned for the autumn of 1976 at El Centro, Calif. , are outlined along with plans for partial and complete ALBS system test drops from a carrier balloon in 1977 at White Sands Missile Range.

Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aeronautics
Languages : en
Pages : 798

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Book Description