An aircraft includes: a plurality of rotor units each including a propeller and a motor that drives the propeller; a balloon that laterally covers the plurality of rotor units, across the height of the plurality of rotor units in the up-and-down direction; a camera that protrudes, along a predetermined axis, beyond the balloon; and a holding component that holds the camera and whose overall length can be shortened along the predetermined axis.

An aircraft includes: a plurality of rotor units each including a propeller and a motor that drives the propeller; a balloon that laterally covers the plurality of rotor units, across the height of the plurality of rotor units in the up-and-down direction; a camera that protrudes, along a predetermined axis, beyond the balloon; and a holding component that holds the camera and whose overall length can be shortened along the predetermined axis.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to flight termination systems for tethered aerial vehicles. For instance, a flight termination system for a tethered aerial vehicle including an envelope may include a tool and a tether. The tool may include a first piece configured for attachment to an interior surface of the envelope and including a cutting blade. The tool may also include a second piece configured for attachment to an exterior surface of the envelope. The tether may be attached to the first piece such that when in use, a force on the tether causes the tool to cut an opening into the envelope.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to flight termination systems for tethered aerial vehicles. For instance, a flight termination system for a tethered aerial vehicle including an envelope may include a tool and a tether. The tool may include a first piece configured for attachment to an interior surface of the envelope and including a cutting blade. The tool may also include a second piece configured for attachment to an exterior surface of the envelope. The tether may be attached to the first piece such that when in use, a force on the tether causes the tool to cut an opening into the envelope.

A high altitude balloon. A plurality of layers of coextruded extrudate are formed in a seamless sheet in a shape that defines a balloon envelope. Delaminator layers may be interposed between two or more of the layers of extrudate.

A high altitude balloon. A plurality of layers of coextruded extrudate are formed in a seamless sheet in a shape that defines a balloon envelope. Delaminator layers may be interposed between two or more of the layers of extrudate.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to flight termination systems for tethered aerial vehicles. For instance, a flight termination system for a tethered aerial vehicle including an envelope may include a tool and a tether. The tool may include a first piece configured for attachment to an interior surface of the envelope and including a cutting blade. The tool may also include a second piece configured for attachment to an exterior surface of the envelope. The tether may be attached to the first piece such that when in use, a force on the tether causes the tool to cut an opening into the envelope.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to flight termination systems for tethered aerial vehicles. For instance, a flight termination system for a tethered aerial vehicle including an envelope may include a tool and a tether. The tool may include a first piece configured for attachment to an interior surface of the envelope and including a cutting blade. The tool may also include a second piece configured for attachment to an exterior surface of the envelope. The tether may be attached to the first piece such that when in use, a force on the tether causes the tool to cut an opening into the envelope.

An example reusable high-altitude balloon system includes a control system configured to initiate a termination sequence by separating a payload from an Earth-facing end of the balloon body. Separation of the payload from the balloon body generates a torque that causes the balloon body to invert and release lift gas through a vent duct, initiating a flight termination sequence that facilitates landing of the reusable balloon system without destroying the balloon body.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to flight termination systems for tethered aerial vehicles having envelopes. For instance, a flight termination system may include a wire heating element arranged in a loop around the balloon envelope and connected to a strain relief connector, the strain relief connector, and an electrical cable connected to the strain relief connector. The electrical cable is configured to provide current to the wire in order to melt envelope material of the envelope and terminate a flight of the aerial vehicle.