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Provider of Near Space Solutions
Tactical Ballooning & Return Vehicles
A New Paradigm for
Low Cost Near Space Access & Persistence
Near Space Corporation
Tim Lachenmeier, PEPresident
Low Cost Access to Near Space Conference
Boulder, COApril 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• 1995 - Founded as GSSL Inc
• 2006 - 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:• 2001 - NASA ARC/NRL - 1st HA Deployment (Glider)
• 2002 - NASA ARC/NRL - 1st HA Deployment (Powered)
• 2002 - NASA LaRC/AFS - 1st HA Deployment (Folded)
• 2003 – NASA LaRC/AFS – Down Select for Mars Scout 07
• 2004 - NASA JPL/BOEING – Mars Guided Parachutes
• 2005 - USAF Tactical Balloon/Return Vehicle
• 2006 – NASA LaRC/AFS – Down Select for Mars Scout 11
35 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
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, PEPresident
Questions?
POC: Tim LachenmeierEmail: [email protected]: (503) 842-1990Fax: (503) 842-1923Web Site: www.nsc.aero
Provider of Near Space Solutions