Microgravity experiment system utilizing a balloon

A system for microgravity experiments by using a stratospheric balloon has been planned and developed in ISAS since 1978. A rocket-shaped chamber mounting the experiment apparatus is released from the balloon around 30 km altitude. The microgravity duration is from the release to opening of parachute, controlled by an on-board sequential timer. Test flights were performed in 1980 and in 1981. In September 1983 the first scientific experiment, observing behaviors and brain activities of fishes in the microgravity circumstance, have been successfully carried out. The chamber is specially equipped with movie cameras and subtransmitters, and its release altitude is about 32 km. The microgravity observed inside the chamber is less than 2.9 × 10^?3 G during 10 sec. Engineering aspects of the system used in the 1983 experiment are presented.     

Scientific results from the pioneer Saturn infrared radiometer

The Pioneer 11 Infrared Radiometer instrument made observations of Saturn and its rings in broadband channels centered at 20 and 45 μm and obtained whole-disk information on Titan. A planetary average effective temperature of 96.5±2.5 K implies a total emission 2.8 times the absorbed sunlight. Correlation with radio science results implies that the molar fraction of H₂ is 90±3% (assuming the rest is He). Temperatures at the 1 bar level are 137 to 140 K; regions appearing cooler may be overlain by a cloud acting as a 124 K blackbody surface. A minimum temperature averaging 87 K is reached near 0.06 bars. Ring boundaries and optical depths are consistent with those at optical wavelengths. Ring temperatures are 64–86 K on the south (illuminated) side, ～54 K on the north (unilluminated) side, and at least 67 K in Saturn's shadow. There is evidence for a south to north drop in ring temperatures. Titan's 45 μm brightness temperature is 75±5 K.     

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.     

Developments in balloon stress analysis

The use of large plastic balloons as a research tool has increased dramatically since the developmental work of the early 1950's. The continuing demand by the scientific community for higher float altitudes, heavier payloads, and longer flight durations has severely challenged current design and analysis procedures. Previous simplifying assumptions concerning the balloon shape and stress must be reassessed in order to develop better analytical design and stress analysis procedures. A brief history of balloon stress analysis procedures and accompanying assumptions are presented. The limitations of old methods and recent improvements by Smalley, Alexander, Rand, and others are examined and compared. Finite difference and finite element techniques offer promise for more accuracy with fewer over-simplifying assumptions. Available methods are examined for potential use in various stress analysis requirements.     

帆板驱动时的卫星姿态前馈补偿控制

研究帆板驱动影响下的卫星姿态控制问题.帆板驱动时存在转速波动,从而影响卫星姿态.在已有帆板驱动模型的基础上,分析帆板转速特性,通过对帆板转速的离线拟合和在线估计,结合卫星姿态动力学模型,设计了卫星姿态的一般前馈补偿和自适应前馈补偿控制器.数学仿真结果表明,两种前馈补偿控制均能有效克服由帆板驱动不平稳而造成的对星体干扰,实现卫星姿态高精度控制.     

姿态四元数相关问题

介绍了四元数计算中的相关问题,包括四元数与方向余弦阵之间的转换、四元数运动方程、求解四元数运动方程时积分步长的选取和高动态应用中非互易误差的补偿,此外还介绍了对偶四元数的发展。     

A new balloon base in Japan

Since 1971, numerous balloons have been launched from the Japanese balloon base, the Sanriku Balloon Center (SBC). Through these years, balloon technologies have been developed continuously and many scientific achievements have resulted. Recently, however, because of the limited area of the launching pad of the SBC, we have been faced with the difficulty of safely launching large balloons. To solve this issue, we decided to move the balloon base from the SBC to the Taiki Aerospace Research Field (TARF) in northern Japan. The TARF had an existing huge hanger and a paved launch pad capable of being utilised for balloon operations. To evolve the TARF into a new balloon base, new balloon facilities have been constructed at the TARF and equipment was transferred from the SBC to the TARF during July 2007 and March 2008. The SBC was closed in September 2007, and the new base became operational in May 2008. The new base at the TARF is designed to launch larger balloons with greater safety and to perform balloon operations more effectively than ever before. In the summer of 2008, we carried out the first series of the balloon campaign at the TARF, and succeeded in two engineering flights of stratospheric balloons. By the success of these flights, we have verified that the whole system of the new balloon base is well established.     

一类带液体晃动航天器的姿态控制

针对一类带液体晃动的航天器,在建立系统数学模型的基础上,利用一种分层滑模的设计方法来设计控制器．将系统状态变量分成可自行到达平衡位置和需要施加控制才能到达平衡位置两部分,对于需要施加控制达到预定平衡位置的状态变量,用分层滑模控制来设计控制律,将其分解成两个子系统,分别构造滑动平面,采用Lyapunov方法求取总控制量．当系统接近平衡位置时,双层滑模控制器退化成单层控制器,保证系统能够稳定在最终的平衡位置上．仿真结果表明,该方法能很好地达到控制效果．     

Studies of optical and biological properties of landcover employing shuttle flights of a multispectral linear array radiometer

Studies to characterize optical and biological properties of land cover as observed from space are planned using a six channel, imaging spectroradiometer employing newly developed multispectral linear array (MLA) detector technology. These studies are to take place by mounting the radiometer on the Shuttle and observing areas with dynamic and diverse types of land cover condition. The radiometer will have 15 meter spatial resolution for four, 20 nanometer bands in the visible and near infrared and 30 meter resolution for similarily narrow bands in the shortwave infrared bands. The instrument will scan ± 45 degrees along the Shuttle orbital path. The principle objective of this experiment is to obtain observations that augment knowledge of the distribution of basic land cover types in regions that are known to be key to questions of biogeochemical cycles, energy balance and climatic change. Another key objective is to quantify the bidirectional reflectance of key land cover conditions in major portions of the visible, near infrared and shortwave infrared as they are observed from space. The initial execution of this experiment is presently scheduled for late 1987.     

Hard X-ray latitude effect measured during a transatlantic balloon flight

The hard X-ray latitude effect, as measured by two X-ray scintillator detectors, is reported in the range of McIlwain shell parameter L from 1.4 to 2.6 (earth radius units). The data analysis method used to measure the flux from weak X-ray sources is also given.     

Detection of solar neutrons on a long duration balloon flight

The observation of large solar flares on high altitude balloons requires long duration balloon flights because large flares are infrequent and cannot be predicted with enough reliability and lead time to allow a conventional balloon to be launched and reach altitude before the flare occurs. With the many weeks at float altitude expected for a long duration flight, the probability of “catching” a large flare during solar maximum becomes reasonably high and the study of phenomena which heretofore have required a satellite become accessible to a balloon platform. One example of this type of experiment is the observation of neutrons produced by the interaction of flare accelerated nucleons with the solar atmosphere. Because the neutrons are produced immediately by the flare accelerated particles and are unaffected by their transmission through the upper solar atmosphere and the intervening magnetic fields, their observation at 1 A.U. will provide direct information on the flare acceleration process. Specifically, a measurement of the neutron energy and time spectra will yield the energy spectrum of the charged nucleons in the interval 50 to 500 MeV/amu, the charged particle anisotropy, the height of the acceleration region for limb flares, and information on the two-stage acceleration process. Because the γ-ray spectrum is also sensitive to these factors, a combined neutron and γ-ray measurement will provide a much more stringent test of flare models than either done separately. CWRU and the University of Melbourne have designed the EOSCOR (Extended Observation of Solar and Cosmic Radiation) detector to have the necessary sensitivity to detect neutrons from a flare 0.1 the size of the 4 Aug. 1972 event and to be compatible with the constraints of the long duration balloon system. The detector has been test flown on short duration balloon flights and calibrated at E_n = 38, 58, and 118 MeV. It is planned to launch it on a long duration balloon flight from Australia in December 1982 when simultaneous γ-ray observations will be possible with the SMM and/or HINTORI satellites.     

A new polyethylene balloon film

After over twenty years there is a new film introduced in the United States for fabricating scientific balloons. The film was developed by Raven and is designated Astrofilm.The film is a result of a critical selection of both the resin and extruding parameters. The film's physical properties and results of a test flight are reported. Also reported are a proposed design modification and failure analysis.     

Validation of nimbus-7 temperature-humidity infrared radiometer estimates of cloud type and amount

Estimates of clear and low, middle and high cloud amount in fixed geographical regions approximately (160km)² are being made routinely from 11.5μm radiance measurements of the Nimbus-7 Temperature-Humidity Infrared Radiometer (THIR). The purpose of validation is to determine the accuracy of the THIR cloud estimates. Validation requires that a comparison be made between the THIR estimates of cloudiness and the “true” cloudiness. The validation results reported in this paper use human analysis of concurrent but independent satellite images with surface meteorological and radiosonde observations to approximate the “true” cloudiness. Regression and error analyses are used to estimate the systematic and random errors of THIR derived clear amount.     

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.     

小卫星的自适应姿态控制

分析了小卫星的姿态动力学及运动学方程；利用姿态动力学方程为一动力学参数矢量的线性函数这一事实，考虑存在参数不确定性，提出了一种自适应控制方法；证明了这种方法可以保证控制系统全局渐近稳定。仿真结果验证了该方法的有效性。     

Prototype design and testing of a Venus long duration,high altitude balloon

This paper describes the design, fabrication and testing of a full scale prototype balloon intended for long duration flight in the upper atmosphere of Venus. The balloon is 5.5 m in diameter and is designed to carry a 45 kg payload at an altitude of 55 km. The balloon material is a 180 g/m² multi-component laminate comprised of the following layers bonded together from outside to inside: aluminized Teflon film, aluminized Mylar film, Vectran fabric and a polyurethane coating. This construction provides the required balloon functional characteristics of low gas permeability, sulfuric acid resistance and high strength for superpressure operation. The design burst superpressure is 39,200 Pa which is predicted to be 3.3 times the worst case value expected during flight at the highest solar irradiance in the mission profile. The prototype is constructed from 16 gores with bi-taped seams employing a sulfuric acid resistant adhesive on the outside. Material coupon tests were performed to evaluate the optical and mechanical characteristics of the laminate. These were followed by full prototype tests for inflation, leakage and sulfuric acid tolerance. The results confirmed the suitability of this balloon design for use at Venus in a long duration mission. The various data are presented and the implications for mission design and operation are discussed.     

Program of balloon launchings in Indonesia in the 1980s

The stratospheric balloon program in Indonesia was initiated in the year 1974, by sending a team to CNES, France, to undergo a job training. The first balloon launching conducted in the year 1975 and since then other launchings have been carried out regularly. The launchings were done on the island of Bali and East Java, because these areas are ideal of that purpose as the upperwind over these areas almost constantly blows easterly.The program of balloon launchings in the 1980's will be improved by the construction of a permanent launching station situated in Mojokerto, East Java, and the addition of Rawin sonde RD 650 CS equipment, Balte Telecommand with 10 addresses and recovery equipment. The volume of balloons will be larger i.e. up to 13.000 m³, enabling to carry heavier payload for longer flight time duration. Also a tethered balloon will be operated for experimentation of TV relay station and communication, especially remote areas.     

Analytical study on the inflated shape of a super pressure balloon covered with a diamond-shaped net

In the last two decades, extensive efforts have been made to develop a large super pressure balloon (SPB) capable of carrying heavy payloads for scientific observations of long durations. Due to recent achievements by the NASA Balloon Program Office, practical operations of large-scale lobed-pumpkin SPB will be realized in the near future. Meanwhile, the research team initiated the development of a lightweight SPB with an alternative design concept, in which the entire balloon is covered by a diamond-shaped net. In this work, the static structural response of the proposed SPB is analyzed by establishing a mathematical model to predict its inflated shape. This model is validated by comparing the generated results with those obtained from nonlinear finite element analysis. Excellent agreement between the analytical solutions and the corresponding finite element results was obtained. On the basis of the mathematical model, the inflated shape of the SPB is investigated and unique structural characteristics are deduced, i.e., the balloon inflates into a cylinder-like shape for a certain geometry of the cover net. This structural feature can be explained by considering the equilibrium of forces applied to the cover net.     

Power supplies for long duration balloon flights

Long duration balloon flights require more electrical power than can be carried in primary batteries. This paper provides design information for selecting rechargeable batteries and charging systems. Solar panels for recharging batteries are discussed, with particular emphasis on cells mounting suitable for balloon flights and panel orientation for maximum power collection. Since efficient utilization of power is so important, modern DC to DC power conversion techniques are presented.On short flights of 1 day or less, system designers have not been greatly concerned with battery weight. But, with the advent of long duration balloon flights using superpressure balloons, anchor balloon systems, and RACOON balloon techniques, power supplies and their weight become of prime importance. The criteria for evaluating power systems for long duration balloon flights is performance per unit weight. Instrumented balloon systems have flown 44 days. For these very long duration flights, batteries recharged from solar cells are the only solution. For intermediate flight duration, say less than 10 days, the system designer should seriously consider using primary cells.