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
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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.
Claims21
1-20. (canceled)
A stratospheric visit system, comprising:
- a payload;
- a lighter than air balloon coupled with the payload and configured to receive a lighter than air gas to ascend the stratospheric visit system to a high altitude;
- a separator system configured to perform separation of the payload from the lighter than air balloon;
- a first parafoil configured to deploy in response to or in preparation of separation of the payload from the lighter than air balloon, the first parafoil configured to control a descent of the payload to a landing site after separation of the payload from the lighter than air balloon;
- a first drogue parachute configured to deploy prior to the first parafoil;
- and
- a stiffener configured to prevent a line coupling the first drogue parachute to the payload from wrapping around the payload prior to deployment of the first drogue parachute.
The stratospheric visit system of claim 21, wherein the high altitude is at least a 50,000 foot altitude.
The stratospheric visit system of claim 21, wherein the first parafoil is positioned between the payload and the lighter than air balloon.
The stratospheric visit system of claim 24, wherein the high altitude is at least a 100,000 foot altitude.
A stratospheric visit system, comprising:
- a payload;
- a lighter than air balloon coupled with the payload and configured to receive a lighter than air gas to ascend the stratospheric visit system to a high altitude;
- a parafoil configured to deploy in response to or in preparation of separation of the payload from the lighter than air balloon, the parafoil configured to control a descent of the payload to a landing site after separation of the payload from the lighter than air balloon;
- and
- a drogue parachute configured to deploy prior to the parafoil, wherein the drogue parachute is coupled to the payload by a line, the line stiffened by a drogue stiffener.
The stratospheric visit system of claim 30, wherein the high altitude is at least a 100,000 foot altitude.
The stratospheric visit system of claim 30, wherein the drogue stiffener is configured to control a length of the line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.