NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Wind-Driven Montgolfiere Balloons for MarsSolar Montgolfiere balloons, or solar-heated hot air balloons have been evaluated by use on Mars for about 5 years. In the past, JPL has developed thermal models that have been confirmed, as well as developed altitude control systems to allow the balloons to float over the landscape or carry ground sampling instrumentation. Pioneer Astronautics has developed and tested a landing system for Montgolfieres. JPL, together with GSSL. have successfully deployed small Montgolfieres (<15-m diameter) in the earth's stratosphere, where conditions are similar to a Mars deployment. Two larger Montgolfieres failed, however, and a series of larger scale Montgolfieres is now planned using stronger, more uniform polyethylene bilaminate, combined with stress-reducing ripstitch and reduced parachute deceleration velocities. This program, which is presently under way, is a joint effort between JPL, WFF, and GSSL, and is planned for completion in three years.
Document ID
20070036050
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Jones, Jack A.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Fairbrother, Debora
(NASA Wallops Flight Center Wallops Island, VA, United States)
Lemieux, Aimee
(NASA Wallops Flight Center Wallops Island, VA, United States)
Lachenmeier, Tim
(GSSL, Inc. OR, United States)
Zubrin, Robert
(Pioneer Astronautics Lakewood, CO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), 44th Aerospaces Sciences Meeting
Location: Reno, NV
Country: United States
Start Date: January 9, 2004
End Date: January 12, 2004
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Mars
planetary
balloon
Montgolfiere

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available