In the mobile communications of the fifth generation or the like, a radio relay apparatus capable of stably over a wide area realize a three-dimensional network, in which a propagation delay is low, a simultaneous connection with a large number of terminal apparatuses in a wide-range and high-speed communication can be performed, and a system capacity per unit area is large, in radio communications with terminal apparatuses including devices for the IoT, and there is no influence on radio wave frequency resources, is provided. The radio relay apparatus comprises a floating object provided with a radio relay station and controlled to be located in a floating airspace with an altitude less than or equal to 100 [km] by an autonomous control or an external control, an optical communication section for performing optical communication with an optical communication destination via an optical antenna apparatus controllable to change outgoing directional beam, an information acquisition section for acquiring at least one of optical-beam control information provided with a radio relay station and a reception sensitivity of the optical communication section, and a beam control section for controlling a directional beam of the optical antenna apparatus based on information acquired by the information acquisition section.

An airborne computational facility uses an energy collection system to provide energy for operation. An airborne balloon is provided with a photovoltaic collector array, and uses energy generated by the photovoltaic collector array to power an on-board computational facility. Data for computation is received by a communication module and computational results are transmitted by the communication module.

An airborne computational facility uses an energy collection system to provide energy for operation. An airborne balloon is provided with a photovoltaic collector array, and uses energy generated by the photovoltaic collector array to power an on-board computational facility. Data for computation is received by a communication module and computational results are transmitted by the communication module.

In the mobile communications of the fifth generation or the like, a radio relay apparatus capable of stably over a wide area realize a three-dimensional network, in which a propagation delay is low, a simultaneous connection with a large number of terminal apparatuses in a wide-range and high-speed communication can be performed, and a system capacity per unit area is large, in radio communications with terminal apparatuses including devices for the IoT, and there is no influence on radio wave frequency resources, is provided. The radio relay apparatus comprises a floating object provided with a radio relay station and controlled to be located in a floating airspace with an altitude less than or equal to 100 [km] by an autonomous control or an external control, an optical communication section for performing optical communication with an optical communication destination via an optical antenna apparatus controllable to change outgoing directional beam, an information acquisition section for acquiring at least one of optical-beam control information provided with a radio relay station and a reception sensitivity of the optical communication section, and a beam control section for controlling a directional beam of the optical antenna apparatus based on information acquired by the information acquisition section.

A technique for varying buoyancy of an apparatus includes providing a substrate configured to produce gas on demand when exposed to a liquid, exposing the substrate to such liquid, and capturing the gas produced by the substrate to increase the buoyancy of the apparatus within a fluid. In some examples, the liquid and the fluid contain the same material, such that gas may be produced using fluid already in the environment.

A technique for varying buoyancy of an apparatus includes providing a substrate configured to produce gas on demand when exposed to a liquid, exposing the substrate to such liquid, and capturing the gas produced by the substrate to increase the buoyancy of the apparatus within a fluid. In some examples, the liquid and the fluid contain the same material, such that gas may be produced using fluid already in the environment.

A geostationary platform is held afloat by a superpressure balloon. A suitable altitude is 25 km. The craft carries electrohydrodynamic thrusters, to overcome winds, held within a scaffold. Sensors determine position, velocity, acceleration and vector. A CPU performs instructions for station-keeping or navigation. A communication system is included to, inter alia, receive instructions from the ground. The craft carries a payload for observation and transmission, cradled in a temperature-controlled chamber. Power to the platform is transmitted in the form of electromagnetic waves (with suitable frequencies including microwaves of 2.45 GHz or 5.8 GHz) from a ground-based transmitter to a receiving antenna on, or affixed to, the balloon which converts the electromagnetic energy to direct current. A step-up voltage converter increases the voltage as required. A ground station monitors craft position and operational efficiency by radar to help ensure safe takeoff, operation, and landing of the craft.

A geostationary platform is held afloat by a superpressure balloon. A suitable altitude is 25 km. The craft carries electrohydrodynamic thrusters, to overcome winds, held within a scaffold. Sensors determine position, velocity, acceleration and vector. A CPU performs instructions for station-keeping or navigation. A communication system is included to, inter alia, receive instructions from the ground. The craft carries a payload for observation and transmission, cradled in a temperature-controlled chamber. Power to the platform is transmitted in the form of electromagnetic waves (with suitable frequencies including microwaves of 2.45 GHz or 5.8 GHz) from a ground-based transmitter to a receiving antenna on, or affixed to, the balloon which converts the electromagnetic energy to direct current. A step-up voltage converter increases the voltage as required. A ground station monitors craft position and operational efficiency by radar to help ensure safe takeoff, operation, and landing of the craft.

A balloon system, preferably including a balloon and a payload. A balloon, preferably including a plurality of gores, a plurality of load members, and an apex fitting. A method of balloon system operation, preferably including deflating a balloon, and optionally including operating the balloon system in flight and/or landing the balloon system.

A balloon system, preferably including a balloon and a payload. A balloon, preferably including a plurality of gores, a plurality of load members, and an apex fitting. A method of balloon system operation, preferably including deflating a balloon, and optionally including operating the balloon system in flight and/or landing the balloon system.