Near-space operation systems
AssigneeWorld View Enterprises Inc.
InventorsTaber K. MacCallum, Jacob H. Dang, Robert Alan Eustace, John Zaniel Maccagnano, Julian R. Nott, Sebastian A. Padilla, Sreenivasan Shankarnarayan, John Straus, Jared Leidich, Daniel Pieter Jacobus Blignaut
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.
Claims20
A method of ascending a payload to a high altitude and descending the payload from the high altitude, the method comprising:
- ascending the payload via a propulsion system to the high altitude;
- separating the payload from the propulsion system;
- deploying a drogue parachute to decelerate the payload;
- controlling a length of a line connected to the drogue parachute, wherein at least a portion of the line is stiffened using a drogue stiffener;
- and
- descending the payload using a parafoil.
A method of ascending a payload to a high altitude and descending the payload from the high altitude, the method comprising:
- ascending a payload via a propulsion system;
- separating the payload from the propulsion system;
- deploying a drogue parachute via a bridle line to decelerate the payload after separation from the propulsion system, wherein deploying the drogue parachute comprises positioning the drogue parachute beyond a wake of the payload using a drogue stiffener;
- controlling a compressive resistance of the bridle line;
- and
- descending the payload using a parafoil.
A method of ascending a payload to a high altitude and descending the payload from the high altitude, the method comprising:
- ascending a payload to the high altitude;
- descending the payload from the high altitude;
- deploying a drogue parachute using a line stiffened by a drogue stiffener;
- and
- guiding the payload to ground using a parafoil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.