In a method for producing a PBO fiber with increased resistance against UV-caused degradation, a coating is provided on the PBO fibers, wherein the coating comprises graphene oxide cross-linked by polymerization with glutaraldehyde and resorcinol. The fibers are useful for lighter than air vehicles.

In a method for producing a PBO fiber with increased resistance against UV-caused degradation, a coating is provided on the PBO fibers, wherein the coating comprises graphene oxide cross-linked by polymerization with glutaraldehyde and resorcinol. The fibers are useful for lighter than air vehicles.

A high altitude or stratospheric balloon system may include a balloon envelope including envelope film, at least one tendon, and a suspender. The suspender may have a first end attached to the envelope film. The suspender is arranged to stretch such that the first end moves towards an equator of the balloon envelope as the balloon envelope pressurizes in order to control movement of the envelope film relative to the tendon and towards the equator as the balloon pressurizes.

A high altitude or stratospheric balloon system may include a balloon envelope including envelope film, at least one tendon, and a suspender. The suspender may have a first end attached to the envelope film. The suspender is arranged to stretch such that the first end moves towards an equator of the balloon envelope as the balloon envelope pressurizes in order to control movement of the envelope film relative to the tendon and towards the equator as the balloon pressurizes.

An example method for launching a high-altitude balloon includes securing a launch collar around a balloon envelope to form a choke point separating an upper portion of the balloon envelope from a lower portion of the balloon envelope. The balloon envelope is structurally secured to a launch platform via a tether that is coupled to the launch collar. The launch collar is configured such that release of the launch collar from the choke point releases the balloon envelope from the launch platform.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to envelopes for aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle may include an envelope including a plurality of gores. The aerial vehicle may also include a seal arranged between a pair of the plurality of gores, the seal including six layers of envelope material heat-sealed together.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to envelopes for aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle may include an envelope including a plurality of gores. The aerial vehicle may also include a seal arranged between a pair of the plurality of gores, the seal including six layers of envelope material heat-sealed together.

Rigid structural-frame dirigible comprising an internal framework divided in internal zones fixedly clearly separated and sealingly isolated therebetween through rigid partition means in fixed union with the internal frame itself, and suitable for being evacuated to a vacuum regime, respectively forming as many vacuum zones (3A; 3B; 3C).

There is provided a cover for protecting a rawinsonde balloon. It includes: a cover main body; an inlet for allowing the rawinsonde balloon to be inserted into the cover main body; an inlet control member for controlling a size of the inlet; and a first basic cover fixing member to an n-th basic cover fixing member formed respectively at a first basic preliminary fixed end to an n-th basic preliminary fixed end on an outer surface of the cover main body; wherein, in response to applying a first partial force vector to a k-th partial force vector respectively to a first specific basic cover fixing member to a k-th specific basic cover fixing member, a direction of a first total force vector becomes opposite to a direction of from a virtual origin of the first total force vector to a center of the inlet.

There is provided a cover for protecting a rawinsonde balloon. It includes: a cover main body; an inlet for allowing the rawinsonde balloon to be inserted into the cover main body; an inlet control member for controlling a size of the inlet; and a first basic cover fixing member to an n-th basic cover fixing member formed respectively at a first basic preliminary fixed end to an n-th basic preliminary fixed end on an outer surface of the cover main body; wherein, in response to applying a first partial force vector to a k-th partial force vector respectively to a first specific basic cover fixing member to a k-th specific basic cover fixing member, a direction of a first total force vector becomes opposite to a direction of from a virtual origin of the first total force vector to a center of the inlet.