TETHERED AEROLOGICAL BALLOON SYSTEM

Abstract : The tethered aerological balloon system (TABS) currently under development at NOTS is designed to maintain a captive balloon and payload at stratospheric altitudes for an indefinite period of time, taking advantage of the region of minimum wind velocity nearly always present at some level in the lower stratosphere. The system consists of (1) a conventional polyethylene balloon fitted with a self-deploying reefing system to reduce lateral drag; (2) an airborne telemetry-command package capable of monitoring up to six aerological or other parameters concurrently (additional packages may be distributed along the tether as needed); (3) a NOTS-developed glass fiber tether having a tensile strength comparable to that of steel, at one-fourth the latter's weight, fabricated in splice-free lengths exceeding 100,000 feet; and (4) a mobile ground vehicle from which all functions subsequent to launch can be performed, carrying a crew, control winch, and equipment to communicate with a ground telemetry and command station; the vehicle can run with the wind to reduce lateral drag loads on ascent or descent. The system is expected to become operational the fall of 1965. Various uses and possible further developments of such a stratospheric moored platform are discussed, including applications to manned systems.