George F. Nolan
Published: 1973
Total Pages: 514
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The report contains the papers presented at the Seventh AFCRL Scientific Balloon Symposium held in September 1972. The papers were presented in three sessions: Tethered and powered balloons, balloon-borne experiments, and instrumentation and balloon technology. In the area of tethered balloons, papers were presented on cables, drag and stability characteristics, hull design and analysis, and the results of scientific experiments using tethered balloons as sensor platforms. Papers were presented on a powered spherical balloon and a survey of possible power sources for use by this system. Presentations during the balloon-borne experiments and instrumentation session included manned balloon flights, precision pointing and control platforms and instrumentation, recovery parachute performance, gondola motion analyses, a balloon radar altimeter, and an overview of French scientific ballooning activities. During the balloon technology session a review was made of the flight results and performance of balloons with volumes in excess of 20 million cubic feet, shape and stress analysis of both nonreinforced and reinforced materials, and fabric tinting to increase solar absorptivity.