LDF powered balloon program
By: Arthur O. Korn, Richard C. Leclaire, [and] Catherine B. Rice
Contributors: Leclaire, Richard C.; Rice, Catherine B.
Series: Instrumentation Papers -- no. 198; Instrumentation papers -- no. 198
Publisher: United States Air Force, Air Force Systems Command, Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories
Published: 1973
Place of publication: Bedford, Mass
Language: eng
Number of pages: 46
Subjects: Balloons; Pilot Balloons
Description: The report describes POBAL, a test flight to demonstrate the feasibility of accomplishing station-keeping by powering a 711,000-cu. ft. free balloon against the wind in the minimum wind field near 60,000-ft altitude. The propulsion system, fabricated from off the shelf components, incorporated a 35-ft diameter helicopter rotor and an 8-hp electric motor powered by Ag-Zn batteries. Line of thrust was controlled by a 9-ft high rudder, steerable either by radio command or by autopilot. POBAL was flown from Holloman AFB, New Mexico in September 1972. System components, flight results, recommendations and feasibility studies for a long duration POBAL system are discussed. (Author).
Notes: "AFCRL-TR-73-0424."

"Aerospace Instrumentation Laboratory Project ILIR."

"18 July 1973."

Cover title.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 37).