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Article

Ascending Performance of Scientific Balloons with Buoyant Gas–Air Mixture Inflation for Designated Ceiling Height

1
Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China
2
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Aerospace 2024, 11(5), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11050340
Submission received: 28 March 2024 / Revised: 22 April 2024 / Accepted: 22 April 2024 / Published: 25 April 2024

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate a new method that uses buoyant gas mixed with air to control the floating height of scientific balloons. Firstly, the static characteristics and thermophysical properties of mixed-gas balloons are analyzed. Subsequently, the inflation model and the thermal-dynamic coupled model are established. Furthermore, based on theoretical research, a GUI program is compiled to simulate the ascent of mixed-gas balloons. Finally, flight tests are conducted. As the balloon volume expands to the maximum, the vertical velocity begins to decay and eventually oscillates around 0 m/s, which is consistent with the simulation. In addition, there is a noticeable shift in which the balloon starts to float after climbing to the target altitude, and the difference values between the test and the simulation are less than 350 m. Moreover, the trajectory results are similar to the prediction, and the errors of the end position are less than 2.5 km in horizontal distance. Consequently, this paper provides guidance for balloon-designated ceiling height technology which can allow a single balloon system to be used for tests at multiple heights.
Keywords: scientific balloons; designated ceiling height; air–buoyant gas mixture; trajectory prediction scientific balloons; designated ceiling height; air–buoyant gas mixture; trajectory prediction

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Cao, S.; Yang, Y.; Zhang, H.; Zhao, R.; Zhu, R.; Zhang, D.; Song, L. Ascending Performance of Scientific Balloons with Buoyant Gas–Air Mixture Inflation for Designated Ceiling Height. Aerospace 2024, 11, 340. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11050340

AMA Style

Cao S, Yang Y, Zhang H, Zhao R, Zhu R, Zhang D, Song L. Ascending Performance of Scientific Balloons with Buoyant Gas–Air Mixture Inflation for Designated Ceiling Height. Aerospace. 2024; 11(5):340. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11050340

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cao, Shenghong, Yanchu Yang, Hangyue Zhang, Rong Zhao, Rongchen Zhu, Donghui Zhang, and Lin Song. 2024. "Ascending Performance of Scientific Balloons with Buoyant Gas–Air Mixture Inflation for Designated Ceiling Height" Aerospace 11, no. 5: 340. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11050340

APA Style

Cao, S., Yang, Y., Zhang, H., Zhao, R., Zhu, R., Zhang, D., & Song, L. (2024). Ascending Performance of Scientific Balloons with Buoyant Gas–Air Mixture Inflation for Designated Ceiling Height. Aerospace, 11(5), 340. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11050340

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