The NASA philosophy and criteria for the design and flight of scientific balloons are set forth and discussed. The thickness of balloon films is standardized at 20.3 microns to isolate potential film problems, and design equations are given for specific balloon parameters. Expressions are given for: flight-stress index, total required thickness, cap length, load-tape rating, and venting-duct area. The balloon design criteria were used in the design of scientific balloons under NASA auspices since 1986, and the resulting designs are shown to be 95 percent effective. These results represent a significant increase in the effectiveness of the balloons and therefore indicate that the design criteria are valuable. The criteria are applicable to four balloon volume classes in combination with seven payload ranges.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    NASA balloon design and flight - Philosophy and criteria


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1993-02-01



    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





    The Modified Nasa Balloon Design Criteria

    Bell, D. P. / AIAA | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994



    Duration Flight of the NASA Super Pressure Balloon

    Cathey, H.M. / Pierce, D. / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2009


    Duration Flight of the NASA Super Pressure Balloon

    Cathey, Henry / Pierce, David | AIAA | 2009