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.

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.

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.

A hybrid kite having an integrated compartment that is inflated with a gas which is lighter than air; the kite is further equipped with a wind turbine generator for the purpose of generating electricity at a high altitude, which can be utilized by the kite or be relayed to the ground for practical use. The kite is anchored in the air as a result of an upward pulling/push force (drag) created by wind, and a combination of buoyancy, to keep the generator/s aloft for an extended period of time beyond 24 hours.

The kite may also serve the purpose of an antenna, to send and receive wireless communication from a base. Moreover the kite can serve as a surveillance vantage point, when equipped with a camera, video camera, microphone and lights, to give an aerial vantage point of a given location.

Numerous other applications for the invention will be realized in conjunction with the primary purpose of providing electricity directly from the generator, which is tethered to the kite, for domestic, industrial & nautical use.

A hybrid kite having an integrated compartment that is inflated with a gas which is lighter than air; the kite is further equipped with a wind turbine generator for the purpose of generating electricity at a high altitude, which can be utilized by the kite or be relayed to the ground for practical use. The kite is anchored in the air as a result of an upward pulling/push force (drag) created by wind, and a combination of buoyancy, to keep the generator/s aloft for an extended period of time beyond 24 hours.

The kite may also serve the purpose of an antenna, to send and receive wireless communication from a base. Moreover the kite can serve as a surveillance vantage point, when equipped with a camera, video camera, microphone and lights, to give an aerial vantage point of a given location.

Numerous other applications for the invention will be realized in conjunction with the primary purpose of providing electricity directly from the generator, which is tethered to the kite, for domestic, industrial & nautical use.

The present invention relates to a high altitude atmospheric energy storing apparatus having a new structure, which is conceived to store the energy of low-temperature air located at high altitude in the sky and utilize it as needed. The high altitude atmospheric energy storing apparatus includes an air tank adapted to store air, an air supply pipe provided such that it extends in a vertical direction and its lower end is connected to the air tank, and a compression means provided in the sky, connected to the upper end of the air supply pipe, and configured to compress air using the wind and supply the compressed air to the air tank through the air supply pipe, thereby enabling air to be compressed by the wind blowing at high altitude and to be then stored in the air tank (10).

Systems and methods are disclosed for package delivery using unmanned aerial vehicles. Example methods may include positioning a first component at a first elevation, and operatively connecting the first component to a winch; positioning a second component at a second elevation higher than the first elevation; and configuring cable of a lifting component to: operatively connect to the first component and the second component, connect to and disconnect from a vehicle, and lift the vehicle from the first component towards the second component using the winch.

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.

The present disclosure relates to an anchoring platform for captive aircraft that addresses one of the main problems when handling captive aerostats, which is the excessive workload required to switch between flying and anchored states. The technology disclosed herein requires only one person to install the structure and the operation can be performed remotely or by a person. Additionally, cords, together with the confluence point, are wound into the anchoring device, the winch. The structure for anchoring the captive aircraft is the cradle which bears the aerostat, while the winch exerts tension to hold same static in the structure.