Innovative new systems and method of operating the systems, wherein the system comprises an airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon comprising a gas enclosure; a geographic locator or tracking system configured to determine geographical coordinates of the unmanned balloon; a payload comprising a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is capable of communicating with communication devices that are separate from the unmanned balloon; first and second flight-termination devices each configured to cause termination of a flight of the unmanned balloon; and at least two power sources each configured to provide power to at least one of the first and second flight-termination devices.

A system for controlling an aerial vehicle includes an aerial vehicle, a ballast coupled to the aerial vehicle, a server including a processor and a memory, and a wireless communication link that communicatively couples the aerial vehicle and the server. the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the server to receive weather data, determine, based on the weather data, that the aerial vehicle is experiencing, or is expected to experience, weather that satisfies a predetermined criterion, and cause the aerial vehicle to decouple at least a portion of the ballast based on a result of the determination.

A system for controlling an aerial vehicle includes an aerial vehicle, a ballast coupled to the aerial vehicle, a server including a processor and a memory, and a wireless communication link that communicatively couples the aerial vehicle and the server. the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the server to receive weather data, determine, based on the weather data, that the aerial vehicle is experiencing, or is expected to experience, weather that satisfies a predetermined criterion, and cause the aerial vehicle to decouple at least a portion of the ballast based on a result of the determination.

A ballast bag that is durable and prevents exposure to FOD is provided. The ballast bag includes a bag body with a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, and a front side and a rear side. A first strap is connected to the front side forming a loop defined by two parallel lines along the front side of the bag and a handle extending past each end of the bag. A second strap is connected to the rear side forming a loop defined by two parallel lines along the rear side of the bag and a handle extending past each end of the bag. The handles of the straps are the same size to form a double handle on each end of the bag. The first and second strap each have an inner and outer band of embedded non-slip material.

A ballast bag that is durable and prevents exposure to FOD is provided. The ballast bag includes a bag body with a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, and a front side and a rear side. A first strap is connected to the front side forming a loop defined by two parallel lines along the front side of the bag and a handle extending past each end of the bag. A second strap is connected to the rear side forming a loop defined by two parallel lines along the rear side of the bag and a handle extending past each end of the bag. The handles of the straps are the same size to form a double handle on each end of the bag. The first and second strap each have an inner and outer band of embedded non-slip material.

A method and system for separating and releasing component parts of a payload of a floating platform in response to a high collision probability is disclosed. The method includes, determining if an in-flight aircraft is within at least a safety zone associated with a floating platform, wherein the floating platform comprises releasably-coupled component parts; and activating, responsive to a determination that the in-flight aircraft is within at least the safety zone, a release mechanism, wherein the release mechanism is configured to uncouple the component parts.

A method and system for separating and releasing component parts of a payload of a floating platform in response to a high collision probability is disclosed. The method includes, determining if an in-flight aircraft is within at least a safety zone associated with a floating platform, wherein the floating platform comprises releasably-coupled component parts; and activating, responsive to a determination that the in-flight aircraft is within at least the safety zone, a release mechanism, wherein the release mechanism is configured to uncouple the component parts.

Innovative new systems and method of operating the systems, wherein the system comprises an airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon comprising a gas enclosure; a geographic locator or tracking system configured to determine geographical coordinates of the unmanned balloon; a payload comprising a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is capable of communicating with communication devices that are separate from the unmanned balloon; first and second flight-termination devices each configured to cause termination of a flight of the unmanned balloon; and at least two power sources each configured to provide power to at least one of the first and second flight-termination devices.

Innovative new systems and method of operating the systems, wherein the system comprises an airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon comprising a gas enclosure; a geographic locator or tracking system configured to determine geographical coordinates of the unmanned balloon; a payload comprising a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is capable of communicating with communication devices that are separate from the unmanned balloon; first and second flight-termination devices each configured to cause termination of a flight of the unmanned balloon; and at least two power sources each configured to provide power to at least one of the first and second flight-termination devices.

Innovative new systems and method of operating the systems, wherein the system comprises an airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon comprising a gas enclosure; a geographic locator or tracking system configured to determine geographical coordinates of the unmanned balloon; a payload comprising a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is capable of communicating with communication devices that are separate from the unmanned balloon; first and second flight-termination devices each configured to cause termination of a flight of the unmanned balloon; and at least two power sources each configured to provide power to at least one of the first and second flight-termination devices.