NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Second Generation Prototype Design and Testing for a High Altitude Venus BalloonThis paper describes the development of a second generation prototype balloon intended for flight in the upper atmosphere of Venus. The design of this new prototype incorporates lessons learned from the construction and testing of the first generation prototype, including finite element analyses of the balloon stresses and deformations, measured leak performance after handling and packaging, permeability and optical property measurements on material samples, and sulfuric acid testing. An improved design for the second generation prototype was formulated based on these results, although the spherical shape and 5.5 m diameter size were retained. The resulting balloon has a volume of 87 cubic meters and is capable of carrying a 45 kg payload at a 55 km altitude at Venus. The design and fabrication of the new prototype is described, along with test data for inflation and leakage performance.
Document ID
20150008620
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)
Kerzhanovich, V. V.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Yavrouian, A. H.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Plett, G. A.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Said, M.
(NASA Wallops Flight Facility Wallops Island, VA, United States)
Fairbrother, D.
(NASA Wallops Flight Facility Wallops Island, VA, United States)
Sandy, C.
(ILC Dover Frederica, DE, United States)
Frederickson, T.
(ILC Dover Frederica, DE, United States)
Sharpe, G.
(ILC Dover Frederica, DE, United States)
Day, S.
(Structural Integrity Associates, Inc. San Jose, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
May 20, 2015
Publication Date
July 13, 2008
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research and Associated Events (COSPAR 2008)
Location: Montreal
Country: Canada
Start Date: July 13, 2008
End Date: July 20, 2008
Sponsors: Committee on Space Research, European Space Agency
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
mobility
aerobot

Available Downloads

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