Patent ID: 9632503
Date: 2017-04-25
CPC Classifications: B64B,B64C,C01B,G01S,G05D,G07C,H04B,H04W,Y02E

Claim:
1. A system comprising a plurality of airborne platforms, each airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon; a payload that is separate from the unmanned balloon; a transceiver; first and second flight termination devices; at least two separate power sources for the first and second flight termination devices; a sensor; a processor; a pump; a valve; and a tether that when broken separates the unmanned balloon and the payload; wherein the pump and the valve are configured to change an altitude of the airborne platform; wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor; wherein, in operation, the unmanned balloon substantially drifts along with the wind currents; wherein the transceiver is capable of communicating with a communication device that is separate from the unmanned balloon; wherein each of the first and second flight termination devices has an ability to independently terminate a flight of the unmanned balloon; wherein at least one of the geographical coordinates tracking system comprises a GPS; wherein the unmanned balloon is configured to operate above an attitude of about 60,000 feet; wherein the unmanned balloon has a flight duration capability that is longer than that of weather balloons that have flight durations of approximately 2 hours; wherein the payload is configured to communicate with an additional airborne payload attached to a separate unmanned balloon; wherein each of the first and second flight termination devices has an ability to independently terminate a flight of the unmanned balloon based on a determination that further operation of the unmanned balloon presents a danger to air traffic; and wherein each of the first and second flight termination devices has an ability to independently terminate a flight of the unmanned balloon based on a determination of a malfunction of the unmanned balloon.