Systems for long duration flights

This paper describes the systems for long duration flights developed in Japan for scientific observations. Much efforts have been expended to evolve systems for long duration flights in Japan, by controlling the balloon trajectories with a knowledge of wind pattern at high altitudes over Japan. These systems called “Cycling Balloon”, “Boomerang Balloon” and “New Boomerang Balloon” have been successfully used for the observations by keeping the balloons close to the balloon station.“Relay Balloon” is another system to extend the telemetry range by using an additional balloon as a relay station to link the telemetry from the main balloon.Some detailes of the exhaust valve, ascent meter and automatic level control devices used for the balloon control are also described in the paper.     

Simulating clefts in pumpkin balloons

The geometry of a large axisymmetric balloon with positive differential pressure, such as a sphere, leads to very high film stresses. These stresses can be significantly reduced by using a tendon re-enforced lobed pumpkin-like shape. A number of schemes have been proposed to achieve a cyclically symmetric pumpkin shape, including the constant bulge angle (CBA) design, the constant bulge radius (CBR) design, CBA/CBR hybrids, and NASA’s recent constant stress (CS) design. Utilizing a hybrid CBA/CBR pumpkin design, Flight 555-NT in June 2006 formed an S-cleft and was unable to fully deploy. In order to better understand the S-cleft phenomenon, a series of inflation tests involving four 27-m diameter 200-gore pumpkin balloons were conducted in 2007. One of the test vehicles was a 1/3-scale mockup of the Flight 555-NT balloon. Using an inflation procedure intended to mimic ascent, the 1/3-scale mockup developed an S-cleft feature strikingly similar to the one observed in Flight 555-NT. Our analysis of the 1/3-scale mockup found it to be unstable. We compute asymmetric equilibrium configurations of this balloon, including shapes with an S-cleft feature.     

Evolution of scientific ballooning and its impact on astrophysics research

As we celebrate the centennial year of the discovery of cosmic rays on a manned balloon, it seems appropriate to reflect on the evolution of ballooning and its scientific impact. Balloons have been used for scientific research since they were invented in France more than 200 years ago. Ballooning was revolutionized in 1950 with the introduction of the so-called natural shape balloon with integral load tapes. This basic design has been used with more or less continuously improved materials for scientific balloon flights for more than a half century, including long-duration balloon (LDB) flights around Antarctica for the past two decades. The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is currently developing the next generation super-pressure balloon that would enable extended duration missions above 99.5% of the Earth’s atmosphere at any latitude. The Astro2010 Decadal Survey report supports super-pressure balloon development and the giant step forward it offers with ultra-long-duration balloon (ULDB) flights at constant altitudes for about 100 days.     

Development overview of the revised NASA Ultra Long Duration Balloon

The desire for longer duration stratospheric flights at constant float altitudes for heavy payloads has been the focus of the development of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Ultra Long Duration Balloon (ULDB) effort. Recent efforts have focused on ground testing and analysis to understand the previously observed issue of balloon deployment. A revised approach to the pumpkin balloon design has been tested through ground testing of model balloons and through two test flights. The design approach does not require foreshortening, and will significantly reduce the balloon handling during manufacture reducing the chances of inducing damage to the envelope. Successful ground testing of model balloons lead to the fabrication and test flight of a ∼176,000 m³ (∼6.2 MCF – Million Cubic Foot) balloon. Pre-flight analytical predictions predicted that the proposed flight balloon design to be stable and should fully deploy. This paper provides an overview of this first test flight of the revised Ultra Long Duration Balloon design which was a short domestic test flight from Ft. Sumner, NM, USA. This balloon fully deployed, but developed a leak under pressurization. After an extensive investigation to the cause of the leak, a second test flight balloon was fabricated. This ∼176,000 m³ (∼6.2 MCF) balloon was flown from Kiruna, Sweden in June of 2006. Flight results for both test flights, including flight performance are presented.     

Initial estimates of Venus winds from ground-based radio tracking of the VEGA balloons

A global array of 20 radio observatories was used to measure the three-dimensional position and velocity of the two meteorological balloons that were injected into the equatorial region of the Venus atmosphere by the VEGA spacecraft. Initial analysis of only radial velocities indicates that each balloon was blown westward about 11,500 kilometers (8000 kilometers on the night side) by zonal winds with a mean speed of about 70 meters per second. Excursions of the data from a model of constant zonal velocity are generally less than 3 meters per second; however, a much larger variation is evident near the end of the flight of the second balloon. Consistent systematic trends in the residuals for both balloons indicate the possibility of a solar-fixed atmospheric feature.     

An automatic navigation and aspect sensing system for X-ray astronomy

An automatic navigation and aspect sensing system is being developed for use in trans-Australia and possible globe circling balloon flights by the University of Tasmania stabilised platform for X-ray astronomy. This system comprises an Omega receiver, three axis magnetometer, alt-az. mounted CID camera and an on-board computer. The computer uses the Omega receiver output or other dead reckoning information together with the magnetometer data to calculate the approximate position of selected bright stars. It then drives the camera to each of these positions in turn and determines from the camera output the precise coordinates relative to the platform of each of these stars. From this information it will fix the geographic coordinates of the platform to within a few nautical miles and will determine the true platform azimuth with a precision of approximately 0.1°. These data will be passed to the platform aspect control computer via a serial link.     

Properties of tandem balloons connected by extendable suspension wires

The tandem balloon system has been known as a candidate system for long duration flight balloons. In this paper, the properties of the system are analytically studied in a new way by introducing an extendable suspension wire in the Sky Anchor configuration, which consists of a zero-pressure main balloon suspending a payload and a super-pressure balloon suspended below the payload. It was found that extension of the suspension wire between the payload and the super-pressure balloon can extend the capability of the tandem system; the altitude of the zero-pressure balloon can be changed without any consumables except some energy, and the day–night oscillation of the balloon altitude can be suppressed. This property is useful as the vehicle for long duration flights. It is also pointed out that the method to control the altitude of a balloon using an additional suspended super-pressure balloon can also be applied for super-pressure balloons.     

Recent materials problems relating to catastrophic balloon failures

Balloons fabricated of thin polyethylene materials have provided relatively inexpensive and reliable scientific research platforms for approximately three decades. Reliability of the modern day balloon, as launched by the U.S.A. National Scientific Balloon Facility (NSBF), has been approximately 85%. Recent balloon failures, coupled with an increased occurrence of catastrophic failures, created grave concern over the integrity of the present balloon inventory of the U.S.A National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). An investigative team was established by NASA to review the circumstances surrounding the catastrophic balloon failures, determine the cause and to make recommendations to correct the problem and to prevent its reoccurrence. The most probable cause of failure as determined by the investigation was the polyethylene balloon film, although the film had passed the established standard quality control measures of the film manufacturer. The approach, findings, and conclusions of the investigation are presented along with planned procedures to assure future quality balloon film for NASA balloons.     

自动着陆精确轨迹跟踪控制

研究自动着陆过程中的非最小相位飞机对象的轨迹精确输出跟踪问题.分析了自动着陆过程的特点,采用稳定逆控制方法并结合反馈控制器设计了大型运输机的自动着陆控制律.稳定逆根据对象模型产生期望控制输入和期望状态轨迹,反馈控制器处理飞机对象参数不确定性及外界干扰.基于飞机对象的相对阶,设计了满足舒适性的光滑进场着陆期望轨迹.仿真结果表明,自动着陆控制律具有精确跟踪能力,自动着陆过程满足美国联邦航空局III类精密进场着陆要求,并且飞机内部动态稳定有界.     

临近空间浮空器区域驻留控制策略研究

为了实现临近空间浮空器区域驻留飞行,基于对热环境的分析,建立了带有副气囊高空气球的空气动力学与热力学耦合动力学模型。基于准零风层特殊风场,设计了临近空间浮空器区域驻留飞行控制策略,通过副气囊调节飞行高度,利用准零风层上下纬向风方向相反的特点实现东西方向控制,用螺旋桨控制实现南北方向控制,并利用ECMWF风场数据进行了数值仿真。仿真结果表明,临近空间浮空器可以在纬度41°(N)~43°(N),经度86.5°(E)~87.1°(E)之间的区域范围内飞行7天,证明了利用准零风层风场实现临近空间浮空器区域驻留飞行的可行性。     

基于CPSO优化的空空导弹μ综合控制器设计

粒子群优化算法（PSO,Particle Swarm Optimization）在空空导弹μ综合控制器参数优化中易出现早熟现象而无法获得全局最优解.针对此问题,提出一种动态加速常数的粒子群优化算法（CPSO,Constant Particle Swarm Optimization）.改进算法通过对加速常数的指数形式变化,在寻优前期扩大搜索范围,在后期提高收敛效率,从而避免了寻优过程中的早熟现象.仿真结果表明,改进的CPSO优化算法具有更强的全局搜索能力,设计出的μ综合控制器具有更优的性能,满足给定的性能指标和自动设计指标,节省了大量设计时间,具有工程应用价值.     

Studies of thin film nonlinear viscoelasticity for superpressure balloons

In order to provide scientists with a stratospheric platform from which to conduct long duration research, a superpressure balloon is desired which will maintain a relatively constant volume for weeks at a time. The pumpkin shaped balloon has been developed by making use of the surface lobing to limit the circumferential stress and meridional tendons to carry the loads in the other direction. However, in order to prevent geometric instabilities during deployment and after pressurization, the design should eliminate as much excess material as possible while not exceeding the permissible stresses of the material. This paper will describe the behavior of the very thin membrane material selected for this application and the limits of the film in a biaxial state of stress. In addition, it is shown that the viscoelastic nature of the film will limit the stress by causing a reduced radius of curvature in the lobe of the pumpkin.     

A challenge to the highest balloon altitude

Development of a balloon to fly at higher altitudes is one of the most attractive challenges for scientific balloon technologies. After reaching the highest balloon altitude of 53.0 km using the 3.4 μm film in 2002, a thinner balloon film with a thickness of 2.8 μm was developed. A 5000 m³ balloon made with this film was launched successfully in 2004. However, three 60,000 m³ balloons with the same film launched in 2005, 2006, and 2007, failed during ascent. The mechanical properties of the 2.8 μm film were investigated intensively to look for degradation of the ultimate strength and its elongation as compared to the other thicker balloon films. The requirement of the balloon film was also studied using an empirical and a physical model assuming an axis-symmetrical balloon shape and the static pressure. It was found that the film was strong enough. A stress due to the dynamic pressure by the wind shear is considered as the possible reason for the unsuccessful flights. A 80,000 m³ balloon with cap films covering 9 m from the balloon top will be launch in 2011 to test the appropriateness of this reinforcement.     

Development of a super-pressure balloon with a diamond-shaped net

The essential reason of the lobed-pumpkin shaped super-pressure balloon to withstand against the high pressure is that the local curvature of the balloon film is kept small. Recently, it has been found that the small local curvature can also be obtained if the balloon is covered by a diamond-shaped net with a vertically elongated shape. The development of the super-pressure balloon using this method was started from a 3-m balloon with a polyethylene film covered by a net using Kevlar ropes. The ground inflation test showed the expected high burst pressure. Then, a 6-m and a 12-m balloon using a polyethylene film and a net using the Vectran were developed and stable deployment was checked through the ground inflation tests. The flight test of a 3000 m³ balloon was performed in 2013 and shown to resist a pressure of at least 400 Pa. In the future, after testing a new design to relax a possible stress concentration around the polar area, test flights of scaled balloons will be performed gradually enlarging their size. The goal is to launch a 300,000 m³ super-pressure balloon.     

DQ—1气球卫星热设计

文章介绍了中国气球卫星的热设计与热试验。根据气球卫星的特性,讨论了无源热控制方法在热设计中的应用。说明热试验数据同热计算数据基本一致,气球卫星的温度满足设计要求。     

运载火箭气液组合连接器动态自动对接技术

为实现未来重型运载火箭地面组合连接器与箭上接口的自动对接，提高发射准备流程安全性、可靠性，降低人员保障要求，开展了组合连接器自动对接的技术研究及总体策略分析，提出了由检测、智能控制、位姿调整系统组成的技术方案及非接触式检测+主动位姿调整+被动随动的自动对接策略，并开展了组合连接器自动对接试验系统研制，进行了组合连接器自动对接、低温加注、自动分离等全流程试验验证工作。结果表明:自动对接装置检测、智能控制、位姿调整等各项功能正常，自动对接策略准确、可行，解决了大载荷组合连接器在箭上接口大范围、高速运动条件下的自动对接难题，综合跟踪范围达±600 mm，综合跟踪速度达500 mm/s，各综合工况下完成自动对接时间约为3~5 min。      

一种阈值自适应调整的实时音频分割方法

基于内容的音频分析近年来引起了较多学者的关注.对自动分割方法进行了分析,分割是对音频信号进行深入分析的首要步骤,通常根据能量、幅值、基音等时域或频域的声音特征,设定若干固定阈值来实现.由于实时音频信号来源复杂,环境和采集设备的变化都会导致阈值的波动,从而直接影响到分割的质量.提出了一种基于声音背景学习的阈值初值计算方法,主要针对实时音频应用,设计了环境因子作为对外界环境进行检测的度量,并利用其自适应调节分割阈值,采用查表法,通过状态转移进行分片类型判断以在效率和精度之间取得平衡,并设计了多组分割实验对上述方法分别进行了验证.     

Relay balloon

A relay balloon system for long-duration or large-area observations is described. The system consists of a balloon for scientific observations and a relay balloon for a data-relay terminal between a ground station and the balloon for observation. The system was successfully applied to the observation of electric-power fields (50 and 60 Hz) over the Pacific ocean. The maiximum distance between two balloons was about 1100 km and that between the Sanriku Balloon Center and the main balloon for the observation was about 1300 km.     

Launching of a 500,000 cubic meter balloon with the semi-dynamic launching method

Launching a large balloon in a limited launching field is a long standing problem in Japan. The largest balloon ever launched successfully was 200,000 m³ in volume. It was launched in 1973. A larger balloon with a volume of 500,000 m³ was tried later, but it burst during the ascending phase. For launching balloons with a large lift exceeding 500 kg, the conventional static launching method had the most serious problem with possible damage to the polyethylene film of the balloon caused by the holding mechanism. After that, we had developed a new static launching method to launch balloons with a total lift of 1.0 ton. For launching a large balloon with a total lift above 1.5 ton, the new static launching method had a weak point in that if there was an air bubble in the folded part of the balloon, it may puncture the balloon as it is pushed by a spool. To avoid this problem, we developed a semi-dynamic launching method in 1999 using a launcher fixed to the ground leaving a freedom of rotation around the vertical axis. We have launched some balloons using the method and have gradually enriched our experience in using this system.In 2003, we successfully launched a balloon with a volume of 500,000 m³ by using the method. This balloon was made of polyethylene films with a thickness of 20 μm and it is the largest balloon ever launched in Japan.