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A Gas Management System for an Ultra Long Duration Titan BlimpThis paper presents analyses, designs and experimental results for the gas management system of a hydrogen-filled blimp capable of flying in the lower atmosphere of Titan for a period of one year or more. The engineering strategy has two basic elements: first, to minimize leakage rates from the blimp envelope and ballonets; and second, to provide auxiliary subsystems to mitigate the life-limiting effects resulting from those leaks. Leak minimization is achieved through use of cryogenically compatible balloon materials and adhesives, and selection of ballonet geometries that minimize pinhole generation via folding and material fatigue. Hydrogen loss to the environment through leaks in the blimp envelope is compensated for by producing new hydrogen through chemical processing of atmospheric methane. Nitrogen leaked into the blimp from the ballonets is removed by a carbon absorption system and periodically vented to the atmosphere. Data is presented on the measured leak rate from a full scale (13 m long) prototype blimp envelope and on the performance of a low mass, low power prototype device that generates hydrogen from methane. These results are factored in to an overall system design that quantifies the mass and power requirements for a minimum one year operational lifetime.
Document ID
20150008611
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Hall, J. L.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Jones, J. A.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Brooke, L.
(Tensys Ltd. Bath, United Kingdom)
Hennings, B.
(Lynntech, Inc. College Station, TX, United States)
Van Boeyen, R.
(Lynntech, Inc. College Station, TX, United States)
Yavrouian, A. H.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Mennella, J.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Kerzhanovich, V. V.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
May 20, 2015
Publication Date
July 13, 2008
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Aircraft Design, Testing And Performance
Meeting Information
Meeting: COSPAR Scientific Assembly
Location: Montreal
Country: Canada
Start Date: July 13, 2008
End Date: July 20, 2008
Sponsors: National Research Council of Canada, Calgary Univ., Canadian Space Agency, Committee on Space Research, Saskatchewan Univ., Toronto Univ., Waterloo Univ.
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
aerobot
balloon
mobility

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