An aerostat system with an extended flight envelope in which the aerostat system can safely operate is provided. The aerostat system includes an aerostat, multiple tether groups and a base station. Spatially distinct tether groups allow for improved stability and controllability over a wide range of wind conditions. Independent actuation of the tether groups allows for control of the aerostat pitch and roll angle. A rotating platform including rails to rest the aerostat allows docking without auxiliary tethers, minimizing or eliminating the ground crew required to dock traditional aerostat systems. An optional controller allows remote or autonomous operation of the aerostat system.

An aerostat system with an extended flight envelope in which the aerostat system can safely operate is provided. The aerostat system includes an aerostat, multiple tether groups and a base station. Spatially distinct tether groups allow for improved stability and controllability over a wide range of wind conditions. Independent actuation of the tether groups allows for control of the aerostat pitch and roll angle. A rotating platform including rails to rest the aerostat allows docking without auxiliary tethers, minimizing or eliminating the ground crew required to dock traditional aerostat systems. An optional controller allows remote or autonomous operation of the aerostat system.

A portable launch rig (PLR) may include a support structure including two side supports defining an interior space for lifting and filling a balloon envelope of a balloon. Wheels on each of the side supports enable the PLR to be moved in various directions in order to prepare the PLR for launching the balloon. The side supports are connected by a lateral support beam having a pair of cranes arranged thereon. Each crane has an arm arranged over the interior space that is connected to a spreader beam. The spreader beam includes a lift assembly configured to lift and inflate the balloon envelope within the interior space. The PLR includes a platform and perch for supporting and moving the balloon envelope. A door assembly of the PLR includes a plurality of hangar doors configured to block wind from a respective direction of each hangar door entering the interior space.

A lighter-than-air airship has an exoskeleton constructed of spokes and hubs to create a set of connected hexagrams comprised of isosceles triangles wherein the spokes flex and vary in length to produce the slope of said airship's surface. In one embodiment, the exoskeleton connects to a nose cone that includes a cockpit cabin for controlling the airship's operation from a single location that can be physically separated from the exoskeleton in response to catastrophic events and for autonomous and/or remotely piloted operation. An improved means is also provided for landing and unloading cargo, and through use of unmanned aerial vehicles in another embodiment, the airship is configured for remote pickup, transport, delivery and return of payloads such as packages. In yet another embodiment, the airship provides a communications platform for beam form transmission and satellite signal relay, including in combination with the foregoing disclosed attributes.

An easy extention of a telescopic rod. The telescopic rod extends in the axial direction by a gas forcibly fed to the inside and is provided with a posture control means.

An easy extention of a telescopic rod. The telescopic rod extends in the axial direction by a gas forcibly fed to the inside and is provided with a posture control means.

The technology provides a launch rig structure capable of filling a very large balloon envelope while the balloon is arranged vertically. The filled balloon is capable of staying aloft in the stratosphere with its payload for months or longer. The launch rig structure is configured to rotate up to 360° in response to current wind conditions. It includes an integrated lifting boom and gas handling system to fill the envelope. A payload release assembly is configured to couple with a rigid connection member of the balloon, enabling the envelope to be filled while in a vertical orientation. The payload release assembly is part of a launch cart that is positioned within the interior space of the launch rig. A gripper assembly engages with the rigid connection member. Once the envelope is filled, the gripper assembly disengages from the connection member so that the balloon floats away from the launch rig.

The technology provides a launch rig structure capable of filling a very large balloon envelope while the balloon is arranged vertically. The filled balloon is capable of staying aloft in the stratosphere with its payload for months or longer. The launch rig structure is configured to rotate up to 360° in response to current wind conditions. It includes an integrated lifting boom and gas handling system to fill the envelope. A payload release assembly is configured to couple with a rigid connection member of the balloon, enabling the envelope to be filled while in a vertical orientation. The payload release assembly is part of a launch cart that is positioned within the interior space of the launch rig. A gripper assembly engages with the rigid connection member. Once the envelope is filled, the gripper assembly disengages from the connection member so that the balloon floats away from the launch rig.

Provided is a flight vehicle operating method including: mooring a flight vehicle to a mooring unit by a cable; reducing a weight of the flight vehicle, increasing the flotage of the flight vehicle, or increasing the flotage of the flight vehicle while reducing the weight of the flight vehicle, by using a first flotation adjuster; floating the flight vehicle at a suitable altitude in the air; increasing the weight of the flight vehicle, reducing the flotage of the flight vehicle, or reducing the flotage of the flight vehicle while increasing the weight of the flight vehicle, by using a second flotation adjuster or a propelling unit of the flight vehicle; and releasing the connection between the flight vehicle and the mooring unit and withdrawing the cable.

A tie-down system for securing an aerostat to a receiving structure, comprising a tie-down cable designed to be attached to the aerostat by one of the ends thereof, a mast designed to be rotatably mounted on the receiving structure, the mast comprising a winch with a winding drum winch comprising a slot designed to receive a portion of the cable located on the side of the other end of the tie-down cable. The tether is weighed down by a weight at the other end thereof, and the mast further comprises a forked guide device having two branches extending in two opposite directions.