Preliminary evidence for drizzle in the middle cloud layer of Venus

Vertical trajectory data from the VEGA 1 and 2 balloon flights in the atmosphere of Venus is re-analyzed. A previously employed helium leak rate profile invoked to entirely account for the decrease in equilibrium float altitude of VEGA 2 is questioned and deemed ad hoc. As an alternative, it is proposed that both VEGA 1 and 2 experienced in-flight mass increases due to the deposition of cloud particles onto their envelopes, as well as losing helium at a reduced rate consistent with the pre-flight prediction. Particle deposition rates are estimated and found to be compatible with this alternative scenario. Possible evidence for drizzle is also presented. Preliminary experiments to derive aerosol deposition rate on a flat plate and the maximum feasible liquid mass that may be accumulated on a near-spherical envelope are briefly described. Further experimental work is recommended to constrain the deposition efficiency values involved and the maximum feasible drizzle fluxes that could have been encountered by both VEGA 1 and 2.     

平流层飞艇的结构健康监测系统初探

文章从介绍平流层飞艇的结构健康监测定义入手，说明了该系统研究的作用和意义以及工作原理。在分析平流层飞艇运行环境和结构可能的损伤模式的基础上，从工程应用角度出发，对结构健康监测系统方案展开了研究，探讨了平流层飞艇结构健康监测系统中的一些关键因素，为今后结构健康监测系统设计提供参考。     

平流层飞艇外形气动特性分析

结合某平流层飞艇的外形设计，文章采用数值模拟的方法研究了平流层飞艇外形的气动特性。基于雷诺平均N—S方程，采用非结构网格的有限体积方法进行了求解；空间离散分别采用了Jameson的中心格式和Osher逆风格式，时间离散则采用五步Runge—Kutta格式；紊流模型分别采用了S—A一方程模型M—SST两方程模型。本研究有助于了解平流层飞艇的气动特性及气动外形设计过程中存在的问题，为平流层飞艇设计提供参考依据。     

空间可充气气球应用研究

简述了空间可充气结构的国外应用情况及可充气结构的导弹诱饵和气球卫星,介绍了可充气气球的设计特点,包括采用压力刚化铝箔的刚化结构、充气装置和释放装置,分析了太空环境中原子氧和紫外线辐射对可充气刚化气球的影响程度。     

超高空系缆气球的空气动力特性试验研究

介绍自然形状和流线形状两种高空系缆气球的空气动力特性。着重探讨攻角和雷诺数对升力、阻力和俯爷力矩的影响。指出：合理、良好的气动外形（具备可靠的稳定性和最小阻力），对提高抗风能力、增加留空时间都有重要意义。     

平流层验证飞艇结构体系比较研究

为研究平流层飞艇的受力、变形及合理的结构体系布局,根据平流层飞艇结构特点,提出了十种结构体系布局方案。基于浮力与重力作用下平衡形态的原理,建立平流层飞艇结构分析方法和各体系分析模型。以一个25m验证飞艇作为对象进行了系统的数值分析,与工程弹性理论进行比较,论证了各体系的结构特点,最后提出合理的结构体系。本文对平流层飞艇结构设计具有参考价值。
     

Towards validation of SCIAMACHY lunar occultation NO2 vertical profiles

Vertical profiles of stratospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) have been retrieved from moderate resolution lunar occultation transmission spectra measured by Scanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) on board the European Environmental Satellite (ENVISAT). These measurements were taken over the high southern latitude of 50°–90° during the period of 2003–2005. To assess the accuracy of the retrieved NO₂ profiles, the SCIAMACHY nighttime NO₂ profiles were compared with NO₂ profiles retrieved from sunrise solar occultation spectra measured by the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) and the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiments II (SAGE II) using a photochemical correction model. The validation results show good agreement of SCIAMACHY lunar occultation NO₂ with scaled HALOE and SAGE II profiles. The relative mean differences (rmd) with scaled HALOE profiles are within −13% to +5% and standard deviations (rms) of the relative differences are within 3–19% between 25 and 38 km. The rmd and rms with scaled SAGE II NO₂ profiles are in the range of −9 to +7 and 10–17% respectively between 22 and 39 km.     

平流层飞艇蒙皮材料撕裂性能分析方法

针对平流层飞艇蒙皮材料初始损伤对于其撕裂破坏的影响,分析了国内外现阶段研究柔性层压织物材料双向撕裂扩展的四种方法及对应的经验公式,通过与某平流层飞艇蒙皮材料双轴向拉伸实验得出的试验结果比较,得出各个方法的优缺点及其应用范围,并指出泰勒公式对于蒙皮材料撕裂性能的研究较为适用。同时,针对不同初始损伤切口形状的蒙皮材料进行试验值与经验公式的对比,指出不同初始损伤切口形状可等效为切断同等尺寸的经向纱线所产生的影响,并分析了蒙皮材料撕裂强度的主要影响因素,对平流层飞艇高性能蒙皮材料撕裂性能的研究提供参考。     

The pGAPS experiment: An engineering balloon flight of prototype GAPS

The General Anti-Particle Spectrometer (GAPS) project is being carried out to search for primary cosmic-ray antiparticles especially for antideuterons produced by cold dark matter. GAPS plans to realize the science observation by Antarctic long duration balloon flights in the late 2010s. In preparation for the Antarctic science flights, an engineering balloon flight using a prototype of the GAPS instrument, “pGAPS”, was successfully carried out in June 2012 in Japan to verify the basic performance of each GAPS subsystem. The outline of the pGAPS flight campaign is briefly reported.     

Hardware qualification for scientific ballooning missions

The European Stratospheric Balloon Observatory (ESBO) initiative aims at simplifying the access to stratospheric balloon missions. We plan to provide platforms and support with instrument design in order to support scientists. During the design process, the inevitable question of qualification for the harsh flight conditions arises. Unfortunately, there is no existing standard for qualification of stratospheric ballooning hardware. Thus, we developed a qualification procedure for use within ESBO and similar projects.In this paper, we present our analysis of the environmental conditions in the stratosphere. While conditions at typical balloon float altitudes are similar to the space environment, there are also some relevant differences. For example, the thermal environment is dominated by radiation and thermal conduction, but the remaining atmosphere still supports a certain amount of convection. The remaining atmospheric pressure in the stratosphere also leads to reduced arcing distances. Vibrational loads are far less than for space missions, but quasi-static or shock loads may occur. The criticality of radiation increases with mission duration.Based on the environmental conditions, we present the qualification procedures for ESBO, which are based on the European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) standards for space systems. Overtesting against too high requirements leads to overengineering, driving mission cost and mitigating the advantages of balloons over space missions. Therefore, we modified the ECSS standards to fit typical scientific ballooning missions over several days at altitudes up to 40 km. Furthermore, we analyzed design rules for space systems with regard to their relevance for scientific ballooning, including material and component selection. We present the experience from the hardware qualification process for the ESBO prototype STUDIO (Stratospheric UV Demonstrator of an Imaging Observatory). Even though boundary conditions are different for each individual mission, we aimed for a broader approach: We investigated more general requirements for scientific ballooning missions to support future flights.