The present invention provides a means by which heat generated in an airtight container for a flying object flying at high altitude can be exhausted to the outside. Container 12 is a cabin of a gas balloon and comprises Main Body 121, which is an airtight container for accommodating Crew Member H1 and is filled with Air 122, Heat Transfer Member 125 made of a material that has a high thermal conductivity such as aluminum and that covers the inside of Main Body 121 and is partially in contact with Heat Absorber Holder 123, Heat Absorber Holder 123 that is a container made of a material that has a high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, and is located outside of Main Body 121, and Heat Absorber 124 contained in Heat Absorber Holder 123. Heat generated by Crew Member H1 is transferred via Air 122 to Heat Transfer Member 125 and then to Heat Absorber Holder 123. Heat Absorber 124 absorbs heat from Heat Absorber Holder 123 as heat of vaporization and changes from a liquid to a gas.

The present invention relates to a novel rotator for a standardized coarse azimuth-pointing system for a balloon-borne platform—either zero pressure or Super Pressure Balloons (SPB)—with a maximum suspended payload of 5,500 lbs. The 5.5K Rotator novel shaft design, bearings, motor, and housing, result in a weight of the rotator being decreased by 33% from existing legacy rotators. The present invention achieved a 24% parts reduction from existing legacy rotators, and has the advantages of lighter weight, reusability, cost-effectiveness, machinability, and ease of assembly.

The present invention relates to a novel rotator for a standardized coarse azimuth-pointing system for a balloon-borne platform—either zero pressure or Super Pressure Balloons (SPB)—with a maximum suspended payload of 5,500 lbs. The 5.5K Rotator novel shaft design, bearings, motor, and housing, result in a weight of the rotator being decreased by 33% from existing legacy rotators. The present invention achieved a 24% parts reduction from existing legacy rotators, and has the advantages of lighter weight, reusability, cost-effectiveness, machinability, and ease of assembly.

A solar powered airship includes a cabin, at least one fuselage having an interior volume filled with a volume of a lighter-than-air gas such as helium, and a wing affixed to the fuselage. A plurality of solar panels are affixed to the wing and to the fuselage. A plurality of rotors are affixed to the wing, wherein each rotor is powered via an electric motor having a battery that is operably connected to the plurality of solar panels, thereby allowing for continuous flight. The solar powered airship may further include propellors, which may also be powered via the solar panels, or which may include gasoline powered motors. The solar powered airship can include various configurations and numbers of fuselages, wings, rotors, and propellors.

A solar powered airship includes a cabin, at least one fuselage having an interior volume filled with a volume of a lighter-than-air gas such as helium, and a wing affixed to the fuselage. A plurality of solar panels are affixed to the wing and to the fuselage. A plurality of rotors are affixed to the wing, wherein each rotor is powered via an electric motor having a battery that is operably connected to the plurality of solar panels, thereby allowing for continuous flight. The solar powered airship may further include propellors, which may also be powered via the solar panels, or which may include gasoline powered motors. The solar powered airship can include various configurations and numbers of fuselages, wings, rotors, and propellors.

A hybrid airship-aerostat includes a hull, a motor, a fin, a controller, and a bridle system. The motor is coupled to the hull and is configured to rotate between a thrust configuration and a lift configuration. The motor is configured to generate a lift force, a thrust force, or a combination thereof. The fin is coupled to a tail of the hull and is configured to provide directional control of the hull. The controller is configured to operate the motor and the fin to pilot the hull. The bridle system is configured to removably couple to a first end of a tether.

A hybrid airship-aerostat includes a hull, a motor, a fin, a controller, and a bridle system. The motor is coupled to the hull and is configured to rotate between a thrust configuration and a lift configuration. The motor is configured to generate a lift force, a thrust force, or a combination thereof. The fin is coupled to a tail of the hull and is configured to provide directional control of the hull. The controller is configured to operate the motor and the fin to pilot the hull. The bridle system is configured to removably couple to a first end of a tether.

A solar-powered airship with a hull configured to contain a gas and at least one propulsion assembly with a propulsion device and electric motors configured to drive the propulsion device. The airship may also include a power supply system including solar panels operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The power supply system may also include batteries operatively coupled to the solar panels and configured to receive and store electrical energy supplied by the solar panels, the batteries being further operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The batteries may each be located within an outer envelope of the airship defined by the hull of the airship in a position selected to provide ballast. The solar-powered airship may also include a cargo system configured to contain passengers or freight.

A solar-powered airship with a hull configured to contain a gas and at least one propulsion assembly with a propulsion device and electric motors configured to drive the propulsion device. The airship may also include a power supply system including solar panels operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The power supply system may also include batteries operatively coupled to the solar panels and configured to receive and store electrical energy supplied by the solar panels, the batteries being further operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The batteries may each be located within an outer envelope of the airship defined by the hull of the airship in a position selected to provide ballast. The solar-powered airship may also include a cargo system configured to contain passengers or freight.

The present invention ensures that when condensation forms in a container for a flying object, water from the condensation does not adversely affect an object in the container. Container 12 is a cabin of a gas balloon and comprises Main Body 121, which is an airtight container for accommodating Crew Member H1 and is filled with Air 122, Condensation Promoting Member 123 is made of a material that has a high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, and is partly exposed to the inside of Main Body 121 and partly exposed to the outside of Main Body 121. Water Collecting Vessel 124 is positioned below the portion of Condensation Promoting Member 123 exposed to the inside of Main Body 121 and collects water from condensation formed on Condensation Promoting Member 123. Conduit 125 directs water collected by Water Collecting Vessel 124 to Water Collection Container 126. Condensation forms on Condensation Promoting Member 123, a temperature of which is lower than that in Main Body 121, and thus condensation does not form on Main Body 121.