Abstract
Balloons are giant membrane structures that float in the thin atmosphere. This chapter first presents the geometric design problems for the balloon body. Specifically, the shape of axisymmetric natural-shape balloons is discussed, and this design concept is then extended to superpressure balloons that are reinforced by load tapes. Throughout this discussion, current progress in research on design concepts that dramatically enhance balloon strength is explained in detail. The dynamics of a balloon flight are governed by a complex combination of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics. A mathematical model that describes the motion of a balloon is derived. This model includes the effects of the aerodynamical forces acting on the balloon, and of the gas temperature variation caused by thermal conduction and radiation between the balloon and surrounding atmosphere, the sun, the ground, and outer space. The ascent, descent, and the lateral motion of balloons are then explained in detail.
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Yajima, N., Imamura, T., Izutsu, N., Abe, T. (2009). Engineering Fundamentals of Balloons. In: Scientific Ballooning. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09727-5_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09727-5_2
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