An aerostat system with an extended flight envelope in which the aerostat system can safely operate is provided. The aerostat system includes an aerostat, multiple tether groups and a base station. Spatially distinct tether groups allow for improved stability and controllability over a wide range of wind conditions. Independent actuation of the tether groups allows for control of the aerostat pitch and roll angle. A rotating platform including rails to rest the aerostat allows docking without auxiliary tethers, minimizing or eliminating the ground crew required to dock traditional aerostat systems. An optional controller allows remote or autonomous operation of the aerostat system.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to techniques for launching high-altitude balloons. In one aspect, a balloon launching system is provided. The balloon has a balloon envelope, a payload attached to the balloon envelope and a launching projection. The launching system includes a releasable restraint attached to the balloon between an apex and bottom of the balloon envelope. The releasable restraint is arranged to temporarily hold the balloon envelope. The launching system also includes a payload positioning assembly. The payload positioning assembly is configured to position the payload during launch of the balloon and includes a member configured to attach to the launching projection. When attached, the member is also configured to maintain the position of the payload relative to the balloon while the releasable restraint is temporarily holding the balloon envelope.

An airship dynamic adaptive harness is provided to stabilize airships and particularly a tethered aerostat in high winds and atmospheric changes. A novel adaptive device accommodates the supply of a lift gas and simultaneously controls opposing cables in a tethered harness with a cascade control system that provides an immediate and particularly the dynamic control of roll, yaw and particularly the pitch of the aerostat in response to real time environmental flight conditions and impart stability to the airship in high winds using a stability zone geometric suspension control system and enhance the duration of in flight missions. A lifting gas replenishment system and particularly a ground based lifting gas replenishment system adds long duration deployment to the dynamic adaptability to high wind conditions for long term deployment.

An airship dynamic adaptive harness is provided to stabilize airships and particularly a tethered aerostat in high winds and atmospheric changes. A novel adaptive device accommodates the supply of a lift gas and simultaneously controls opposing cables in a tethered harness with a cascade control system that provides an immediate and particularly the dynamic control of roll, yaw and particularly the pitch of the aerostat in response to real time environmental flight conditions and impart stability to the airship in high winds using a stability zone geometric suspension control system and enhance the duration of in flight missions. A lifting gas replenishment system and particularly a ground based lifting gas replenishment system adds long duration deployment to the dynamic adaptability to high wind conditions for long term deployment.

A system for transporting hydrogen from where it can be economically made to where it is most needed using airships. Green technologies can be used to generate electricity near to the primary energy sources. This electricity can then be used to produce hydrogen directly from water. Hydrogen can be delivered using an airship in which the hydrogen gas can also be used for generating lift, providing propulsion energy and serving ancillary needs. In other embodiments of the invention, the airship of the present invention can be used to dramatically reduce the cost of transportation of freight, the cost of passenger transportation, and to save on the area required for landing at the points of loading/unloading and embarkation/debarkation. And in another embodiment, the airship of the present invention can be used for transporting water and food to areas where needed. In another embodiment, the ship can be equipped with solar cells.

A lighter-than-air airship has an exoskeleton constructed of spokes and hubs to create a set of connected hexagrams comprised of isosceles triangles wherein the spokes flex and vary in length to produce the slope of said airship's surface. In one embodiment, the exoskeleton connects to a nose cone that includes a cockpit cabin for controlling the airship's operation from a single location that can be physically separated from the exoskeleton in response to catastrophic events and for autonomous and/or remotely piloted operation. An improved means is also provided for landing and unloading cargo, and through use of unmanned aerial vehicles in another embodiment, the airship is configured for remote pickup, transport, delivery and return of payloads such as packages. In yet another embodiment, the airship provides a communications platform for beam form transmission and satellite signal relay, including in combination with the foregoing disclosed attributes.

A distributed acoustic anti-unmanned boat intelligence system (DAAUBS) for detecting unmanned boats (UB) approaching protected sites includes a plurality of airborne defense agents (ADAs) and a base station. Each ADA is equipped with air balloons, tethers, buoys, a directional microphone array, a first computing device, and a transceiver. The first computing device causes at least processor to determine information regarding each approaching UB. The base station includes a control center configured with a wideband communications link configured to communicate with the transceiver of each ADA. The DAAUBS control center includes a second computing device performing an intelligence method. The second processor receives and aggregates the data of each approaching UB and performs adaptive noise cancellation to remove environmental background noise. The second processor uses a deep learning classifier to classify at least one of a type and size of the UB.

A distributed acoustic anti-unmanned boat intelligence system (DAAUBS) for detecting unmanned boats (UB) approaching protected sites includes a plurality of airborne defense agents (ADAs) and a base station. Each ADA is equipped with air balloons, tethers, buoys, a directional microphone array, a first computing device, and a transceiver. The first computing device causes at least processor to determine information regarding each approaching UB. The base station includes a control center configured with a wideband communications link configured to communicate with the transceiver of each ADA. The DAAUBS control center includes a second computing device performing an intelligence method. The second processor receives and aggregates the data of each approaching UB and performs adaptive noise cancellation to remove environmental background noise. The second processor uses a deep learning classifier to classify at least one of a type and size of the UB.

A method for sheltering a balloon, a blimp, or airship. The method includes obtaining a first guideway by detachably attaching a first plurality of detachable rings to a first side of an outer surface of the balloon, placing a first rope into the first guideway by passing the first rope through the first plurality of detachable rings, attaching a first end of the first rope to a first point of a blanket, and pulling the blanket over the balloon by pulling a second end of the first rope in a first direction pulling the blanket over the balloon by pulling a second end of the first rope in a first direction.

A method for sheltering a balloon, a blimp, or airship. The method includes obtaining a first guideway by detachably attaching a first plurality of detachable rings to a first side of an outer surface of the balloon, placing a first rope into the first guideway by passing the first rope through the first plurality of detachable rings, attaching a first end of the first rope to a first point of a blanket, and pulling the blanket over the balloon by pulling a second end of the first rope in a first direction pulling the blanket over the balloon by pulling a second end of the first rope in a first direction.