Provider of Near Space Solutions

Tactical Ballooning & Return Vehicles A New Paradigm for Low Cost Near Space Access & Persistence Near Space Corporation Tim Lachenmeier, PE President Low Cost Access to Near Space Conference Boulder, CO April 26-28, 2007

Background GSSL/NSC History Return Vehicle Milestones PRV Precedents Current Ballooning Paradigm New Tactical Paradigm Why a Tactical Paradigm Draw Your Own Conclusions OVERVIEW

Origins Founded as GSSL Inc Became Near Space Corp Specializing In Near Space Platforms & Vehicles: Analysis Design Fabrication Flight Ops Training COMPANY HISTORY

Experience: Government NASA - Planetary Technology (Venus, Mars, & Titan) NOAA/NCAR - Atmospheric Research USAF – Tactical Balloon Systems & Return Vehicles Commercial Space Prototyping Flight Test Space Inflatables Laboratories Lawrence Livermore Pacific Northwest National MIT-LL JHU-APL COMPANY HISTORY

Return Vehicle Milestones: NASA ARC/NRL - 1 st HA Deployment (Glider) NASA ARC/NRL - 1 st HA Deployment (Powered) NASA LaRC/AFS - 1 st HA Deployment (Folded) 2003 – NASA LaRC/AFS – Down Select for Mars Scout NASA JPL/BOEING – Mars Guided Parachutes USAF Tactical Balloon/Return Vehicle 2006 – NASA LaRC/AFS – Down Select for Mars Scout High Altitude Deployment Tests >100,000 ft COMPANY HISTORY

Return Vehicle Video 35 High Altitude Deployment Tests >100,000 ft PRV PRECEDENTS First Video

CURRENT BALLOON PARADIGM Current Paradigm Built on 50+ Years of Success Commonly Referred to as “Scientific Ballooning”

DOD Discovers Tactical Ballooning PARADIGM CHANGE

DOD Discovers Tactical Ballooning PARADIGM CHANGE

Traditional Launch What Is The New Paradigm? Tactical Balloons Return Vehicles Tactical Launch

PAST PROBLEMS What’s Wrong With The Old Paradigm? Ground Winds > 5 Knots Logistics Inflation/Launch Infrastructure Payload Recovery Cost

PROBLEM #1: GROUND WINDS > 5 KNOTS Ground Wind Problem Linked to Inflation and Launching At Low Altitude: Relatively Small Gas Bubble Excess Material Material Becomes Large Sail High Potential for Film Damage At High Altitude: Gas Expands Material is Fully Deployed Balloon Moves with the Wind Low Potential for Film Damage

General Approach: View Wind as the Enemy Common Approach: Enclose Balloon in a Protective Bag Before Launch Prevents Balloon Damage from Ground Contact PROBLEM #1: GROUND WINDS > 5 KNOTS

NSC Developed a Tactical Launch Bag* Wind Inflates Bag Orients Like a Wind Sock Creates a Still-Air Environment for Balloon Inflation NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #1 * Patent Pending

Instead of Launching a Deployed Main Balloon, NSC Developed a Tandem Balloon System* NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #1 * Patent Pending

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #1 Traditional Launch Tactical Balloon System Small Tow Balloon & Packed Main Allows Launch from Ships, Parking Lots, Small Clearings Tactical Launch

TACTICAL PARADIGM Tactical Launch Second Video

One or Two People Can Now Set Up & Launch Large Balloons! Proven in 26+ Knot Winds! Tactical Launch Bag Tandem Balloon System NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #1

PROBLEM #2: LOGISTICS Traditional Balloons Require Significant Support People Equipment Inventory

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #2 Tactical Launch Bag & Tactical Balloon System Allow One or Two People to Launch Balloons Minimizes Logistics Footprint

Mission Flexibility Requires Large Inventory of Standard Balloons Balloons Sized by Payload & Altitude PROBLEM #2: LOGISTICS

Inventory of Adjustable Tactical Balloons Allows Flexibility Eliminates Custom Manufacturing NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #2

More Launch Opportunities - Fewer Resources! Tandem Balloon System Inventory of Adjustable Balloons Tactical Launch Bag NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #2

PROBLEM #3: INFLATION INFRASTRUCTURE Traditional Inflation Requires: Numerous People Ground Anchor Continuous Monitoring Ground Wind < 5 Kts

Tactical Launch Bag & Tactical Balloon System Enables One Person Inflation in Wind > 30 Kts NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #3

Autonomous Inflation* Simplifies Inflation Process Skilled Operator Not Required Continuous Monitoring Not Required “Gasoline Pump” Hook Up Turn One Valve & Walk Away Gas Supply Turns Off Automatically When Required Amount Delivered NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #3 * Patent Pending

More Frequent Streamlined Launches! Tandem Balloon System Autonomous Inflation Tactical Launch Bag NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #3

PROBLEM #4: PAYLOAD RECOVERY Current Payload Recovery Usually by Parachute Limited Trajectory Control Very Small Achievable Cross Track Distances Chase & Recovery To Uncontrolled Areas Required Other Option: Self-Destruction at Mission Termination Wastes Valuable Payloads

More Efficient Solution: Embed Payload in a Payload Return Vehicle* Returns Payload Significant Distances Crosswind, Upwind & Loitering Capable Standardized Interface Makes Payload Swap-Out Simple Multiple Missions, One Platform NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #4 * Patent Pending

More Flights, Fewer Resources, Same Payload! Payload Return Vehicle NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #4

PROBLEM #5: COST Wind Delays = $ People, Equipment & Inventory = $ Parachute Recovery/ Destruction = $

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #5 Lower Cost Alternative! Eliminates Wind Delays Less People, Equipment & Inventory Same Payload, Multiple Flights

Primary Application Payload < 200 lbs Altitude < 100,000 ft Duration < 48 hrs Near Space Corporation NOT FOR EVERYONE!

Tactical Ballooning & Return Vehicles A New Paradigm for Low Cost Near Space Access & Persistence Near Space Corporation Tim Lachenmeier, PE President Questions?

POC : Tim Lachenmeier Phone: (503) Fax: (503) Web Site: Provider of Near Space Solutions