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, is provided. 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 device 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.

An example method for launching a high-altitude balloon includes securing a launch collar around a balloon envelope to form a choke point separating an upper portion of the balloon envelope from a lower portion of the balloon envelope. The balloon envelope is structurally secured to a launch platform via a tether that is coupled to the launch collar. The launch collar is configured such that release of the launch collar from the choke point releases the balloon envelope from the launch platform.

An example method for launching a high-altitude balloon includes securing a launch collar around a balloon envelope to form a choke point separating an upper portion of the balloon envelope from a lower portion of the balloon envelope. The balloon envelope is structurally secured to a launch platform via a tether that is coupled to the launch collar. The launch collar is configured such that release of the launch collar from the choke point releases the balloon envelope from the launch platform.

A gaseous matter capture system and method comprising an aerial unit configured to capture gaseous matter directly from the atmosphere and further comprising storage means configured to transfer said gaseous matter for further processing in a non-aerial unit for the purposes of climate change mitigation and further use of captured gases.

A gaseous matter capture system and method comprising an aerial unit configured to capture gaseous matter directly from the atmosphere and further comprising storage means configured to transfer said gaseous matter for further processing in a non-aerial unit for the purposes of climate change mitigation and further use of captured gases.

An aerial platform receives power in the form of light, for example laser light, transmitted via an optical fiber from a remote optical power source. The platform comprises a receiver which converts at least a portion of the light to a different form of power, for example electric power. The platform also comprises a propulsion element which consumes the different form of power to generate propulsive thrust. Supplying power to the aerial platform from a remote source enables the platform to remain aloft longer than a battery or fuel tank carried by the platform would allow. Transmitting the power in the form of light is preferable in many cases to transmitting electric power, because electrical conductors are generally heavier than optical fibers, and are hazardous in the presence of lightning or a high-voltage power line.

Embodiments disclosed herein enable routine autonomous execution of at least some major phases of aerostat operation in response to commands from human or automated external operators, a built-in decision-making capacity, or both. Various embodiments combine one or more actively controlled tethers, aerodynamic aerostat control surfaces, mechanical assistive devices (e.g., jointed arms attached to a ground station), and/or active propulsors attached to the aerostat to govern aerostat behavior during launch, flight, and landing phases of operation. Some embodiments enable automatic autonomous performance of all phases of routine post-commissioning aerostat operation, including launch, flight, and landing, without any routine need for availability of a human crew.

Embodiments disclosed herein enable routine autonomous execution of at least some major phases of aerostat operation in response to commands from human or automated external operators, a built-in decision-making capacity, or both. Various embodiments combine one or more actively controlled tethers, aerodynamic aerostat control surfaces, mechanical assistive devices (e.g., jointed arms attached to a ground station), and/or active propulsors attached to the aerostat to govern aerostat behavior during launch, flight, and landing phases of operation. Some embodiments enable automatic autonomous performance of all phases of routine post-commissioning aerostat operation, including launch, flight, and landing, without any routine need for availability of a human crew.

A moored balloon includes a balloon, a wire coupled to the balloon, an antenna, a cable coupled to the balloon, a rotating device hung below the balloon, and a fixing device. The rotating device comprises a rotating unit and a bracket. The rotating unit comprises a bearing seat mounted on the bracket, a bearing unit mounted on the bearing seat, and a shaft passing through the bearing unit and coupled to the balloon. The fixing device comprises a receiving tube for receiving the antenna. The receiving tube is located on the bracket. The shaft moves with the balloon to generate a twisting force, the bearing unit counterbalances the twisting force to prevent the cable being twisted with the wires.

A moored balloon includes a balloon, a wire coupled to the balloon, an antenna, a cable coupled to the balloon, a rotating device hung below the balloon, and a fixing device. The rotating device comprises a rotating unit and a bracket. The rotating unit comprises a bearing seat mounted on the bracket, a bearing unit mounted on the bearing seat, and a shaft passing through the bearing unit and coupled to the balloon. The fixing device comprises a receiving tube for receiving the antenna. The receiving tube is located on the bracket. The shaft moves with the balloon to generate a twisting force, the bearing unit counterbalances the twisting force to prevent the cable being twisted with the wires.