1. Technical and Operational Enablers for Low Cost Balloon Flights Mike Smith, Senior Aerospace Engineer Aerostar International, Inc. Aerospace Products Department Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 (903) 438-3106 msmith@aerostar.com

2. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Summary  Brief history & background overview  Capabilities of free flying balloons  Technical elements of a balloon program  Non-technical issues  Real world examples  Recipe for success

3. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Genealogy of US Stratospheric Ballooning 195019601970198019902000 Winzen Research Air Force ONR NCAR

4. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Raven Industries: Depth and Diversity

5. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Aerostar: Full range of capabilities Well established infrastructure Decelerator design and manufacturing Military Decoy Systems Complex 3D shapes: integrated design to shop floor engineering system

6. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 The Stratospheric Balloon Routinely and reliably used to carry science payloads to altitudes over 100 kft since the late 1940’s.

7. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Performance Envelope

8. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Balloon size for 4000 lb payload

9. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Free Balloon Launch Ops Scenarios 5 Crane Launch – very complex Over 500 lbs 3-5 Rolling Platform or Truck Launch 51-500 lbs 2 Two person hand launch 11-50 lbs 1-2 hand launch 1 to 10 lbs Crew Size Requirements Payload Range

10. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Rubber Weather Balloons  Relatively inexpensive  Payload up to 10 lbs with typical balloon sizes  Typically ascend to burst, but can be vavled into float  Launched fully inflated – material stretches as gas expands

11. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Weather Balloon Launch

12. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Plastic Zero Pressure  $100k  Payload capability to the thousands of pounds  Ascends to float passively by venting through ducts –full ascent rate up to float  Launched partially inflated –balloon inflates as gas expands

13. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Small Balloon Launch

14. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Typical Large Balloon Launch

15. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Carrier Vehicle for Aerospace Testing Viking Entry Vehicle Balloon Assisted Rocket Launch Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator (ESA)

16. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Stratospheric Winds  Balloons travel generally west in the summer  Balloons travel generally east in the winter  Winds are light and variable in the spring and fall “turnaround” periods  Winds can be very light in the 65kft to 70 kft layer in the summer (0 to 20 kt)  Winter winds in this layer are generally easterly and light, but can be quite strong for short periods

17. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Bridging the Gap No Man’s Land (almost) Hand Launch Heavy Equipment 5 - 12 lbs 5000 lbs

18. Balloon Program BalloonsParachutes Basic Telemetry Unit Power Supplies FAA Transponder Redundant Payload Release Devices Telemetry Ground Station Inflation & Launch Equipment Payload Recovery Vehicles Launch Crew Electronics Support Staff Flight Director Weather support FAA Liaison

19. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Small Balloon Performance

20. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Integrated Telemetry System (ITS)  High Altitude Balloon Mission Management System and wide area telemetry and control network  Developed by Aerostar for all balloon users  Operational system flown multiple times without failure

21. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Integrated Telemetry System (ITS) Benefits  Provide an inexpensive, easy to use, turn-key system for balloon and near space platform users  Customer only needs to develop their payload, does not need to develop a Telemetry System concurrently  Uses license free, non-interference communication spectrum  Ensure that entry-level balloon users are equipped with basic payloads that work reliably

22. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Integrated Telemetry System (ITS) Specifications  Power: 7 - 30 V DC  Weight: ~3 lbs  Dimensions: 6.5” x 6.5” x 2.5”  Battery weight varies by mission requirements.

23. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Integrated Telemetry System (ITS) Basic Features  GPS Position  8 channels 5 V 10 bit A/D  Control and status indication of 8 solid state relays  Dedicated relays for transponder on/off and cut- down command  Two RS-232 ports for peripheral devices or external modem such as IRRIDIUM for global communications  Expansion Port for additional A/D, relays, or accessories

24. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Ground Station Radio modem and antenna Laptop computer Power supply

25. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Ground Station Software Sample Screen

26. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Tracking with Google Earth

27. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Icon Data Box

28. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Flight Termination System

29. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Flight Train Spreader Bar with dual line cutters Parachute Payload Box

30. Non Technical Issues

31. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Broad Brush Issues  Some programs allow a TRL up to 7 for an instrument that has flown on a constant altitude balloon mission. This is attractive for low cost instrument development.  NASA educational programs are evaluated on “Number of Students Reached”, which drives programs toward web based experiences and traveling road shows.

32. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Liability  Anyone running balloon operations must be protected with liability insurance  This is a major factor affecting the operations of high altitude balloons  Aerostar has liability coverage for its operations  Government based facilities have operations that are protected by the U.S. Government  University operations should consult with their legal departments

33. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Where to fly?

34. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Funding Realities  Use of the CSBF is included for officially funded NASA science.  An independently run operation must include the cost of the balloon and flight operations in their grant proposal  Should funds be set aside for small balloon flights through the NASA Balloon Program?  Can the NSF fund small balloon programs? YES! They have for decades!

35. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Real World Examples  NOAA  University of Wyoming  Near Space Corporation (GSSL)  Scientific Instrumentation LTD – Canada

36. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009

37. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009

38. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009

39. Low Cost Access to Near Space Boulder CO – October 2009 Recipe for Success  Keep it simple (the devil’s in the details)  Use COTS equipment as much as you can. –Balloons –Parachutes –Telemetry Systems  Establish some fixed launch sites  Establish a good relationship with the local FAA  Conduct multi flight campaigns at one location  Avoid using pyrotechnics if possible  Collaborate with other programs

40. Thank you!