The present disclosure relates to the aerospace application field, and provides a method for flying a large balloon. In the method, a constraint apparatus is disposed on a balloon capsule to replace a roller, and the constraint apparatus is released progressively in a release process of the balloon capsule, so that the balloon capsule is released progressively and slowly before rising above a pod. This greatly reduces the impact in a flying process, makes it easier to control a flying status of the balloon capsule, and also makes related operations of onsite staffs simpler and controllable.

An airship utilizing an innovative lift mechanism featuring dynamic and static vacuum chambers. The lift created by the vacuums created in the chambers elevates the ship into the atmosphere, thereby eliminating the need for lighter than air gases.

A landing apparatus for an airship or hybrid air vehicle. The landing apparatus comprises a hollow, non-toroidal, flexible enclosure (103), having a substantially vertical axis (104), and a substantially circular cross-section centred on the axis. A base (122) of the enclosure is arranged to contact the ground. The enclosure (103) is inflatable with air or gas for landing, and deflatable for retraction of the enclosure during flight.

The technology relates to techniques for drogue deployment for a lighter than air (LTA) vehicle descent. A drogue deployment system for an LTA vehicle descent can include a drogue comprising a drogue parachute coupled to a carrier. A spring can be configured to launch the drogue from a launch tube directed outward from an apex of the LTA vehicle in an acute angle from a horizontal plane. A core can be placed around the launch tube and placed around the spring, the core compressing the spring and holding the spring in a compressed state prior to deployment, and a riser can couple the carrier to the envelope of the LTA vehicle. In some cases, the drogue deployment system can comprise two or more drogues, wherein intervals between the two or more drogues can be selected such that horizontal components of drogue deployment forces approximately cancel out.

A portable launch rig (PLR) may include a support structure including two side supports defining an interior space for lifting and filling a balloon envelope of a balloon. Wheels on each of the side supports enable the PLR to be moved in various directions in order to prepare the PLR for launching the balloon. The side supports are connected by a lateral support beam having a pair of cranes arranged thereon. Each crane has an arm arranged over the interior space that is connected to a spreader beam. The spreader beam includes a lift assembly configured to lift and inflate the balloon envelope within the interior space. The PLR includes a platform and perch for supporting and moving the balloon envelope. A door assembly of the PLR includes a plurality of hangar doors configured to block wind from a respective direction of each hangar door entering the interior space.

Systems, methods and device for payload transportation and high altitude atmospheric payload deployment. A gondola includes a frame which is configured to carry a payload, such as a rocket. The gondola includes a control system using a plurality of propellers to provide orientation changes. In the instance of a carried rocket, the system provides timed release such that the rocket is released in desired direction and pitch angle.

A hot air balloon steering system for steering a hot air balloon includes a hot air balloon that includes a basket. A stand unit is movably coupled to the basket. The stand unit abuts a support surface thereby facilitating the basket to be spaced from the support surface when the hot air balloon is not in flight. A sail unit is movably coupled to the basket. The sail unit captures air when the hot air balloon is in flight. Moreover, the sail unit steers the hot air balloon when the hot air balloon is in flight.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automated balloon launching system for launching at least one balloon such as a meteorological balloon or a radiosonde. The system comprises a container and a storage arranged in the container for storing at least one box at a defined storage position p=1, 2, . . . , n. The at least one box includes a balloon and a sonde. A release silo is arranged at least partially on top of or above and adjacent to the container for sheltering the balloon during inflation. A x-, y- and z-manipulator is arranged in the container for removing a specific box from one of the defined storage positions p=1, 2, . . . , n, and for subsequent feeding the release silo with the specific box. The present invention also concerns a method for launching at least one balloon such as a meteorological balloon or a radiosonde.

A portable launch rig (PLR) may include a support structure including two side supports defining an interior space for lifting and filling a balloon envelope of a balloon. Wheels on each of the side supports enable the PLR to be moved in various directions in order to prepare the PLR for launching the balloon. The side supports are connected by a lateral support beam having a pair of cranes arranged thereon. Each crane has an arm arranged over the interior space that is connected to a spreader beam. The spreader beam includes a lift assembly configured to lift and inflate the balloon envelope within the interior space. The PLR includes a platform and perch for supporting and moving the balloon envelope. A door assembly of the PLR includes a plurality of hangar doors configured to block wind from a respective direction of each hangar door entering the interior space.

The present disclosure relates to the aerospace application field, and provides a method for flying a large balloon. In the method, a constraint apparatus is disposed on a balloon capsule to replace a roller, and the constraint apparatus is released progressively in a release process of the balloon capsule, so that the balloon capsule is released progressively and slowly before rising above a pod. This greatly reduces the impact in a flying process, makes it easier to control a flying status of the balloon capsule, and also makes related operations of onsite staffs simpler and controllable.