Patent ID: 9694910
Date: 2017-07-04
CPC Classifications: B64B,B64D

Claim:
1. A stratospheric-visit system, relating to a stratospheric visit using lighter-than-air travel, comprising: a) a payload system structured and arranged to provide at least one payload; b) a launch system structured and arranged to launch the payload; c) wherein said launch system comprises a lighter-than-air propulsion system, e) a travel control system structured and arranged to control, in the stratospheric visit, travel of the payload; f) a communication system structured and arranged for communication during said stratospheric-visit; and g) a recovery system structured and arranged to recover the payload; h) wherein said recovery system comprises a separator system structured and arranged to perform separation of the payload from said lighter-than-air propulsion system, at least one drogue parachute structured and arranged to decelerate the payload after the separation of the payload from said lighter-than-air propulsion system, a bridle line for coupling the drogue parachute to the payload; and a drogue stiffener comprising an elongate carbon fiber rod coupled to the bridle line for stiffening an elongate portion of the bridle line to prevent entanglement of the bridle line with the payload and to separate the payload from the drogue parachute; and at least one parafoil to assist landing of the payload.