# US 4,394,998 A · Process and apparatus for exploring the atmosphere of a planet

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- Number: US 4,394,998 A
- Document ID: US4394998A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/264,852
- Filed: 1981-05-18
- Granted: 1983-07-26
- Earliest claimed: 1981-05-18
- Assignees: Office National d'Etudes et de Recherche Aerospatiales (ONERA)
- Inventors: Joseph Taillet; Jean Maulard
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4394998A

## CPC

- B64B 1/44: adapted to maintain predetermined altitude
- B64G 1/105: {Space science}
- B64G 1/1071: {Planetary landers intended for the exploration of the surface of planets, moons or comets}
- B64B: LIGHTER-THAN AIR AIRCRAFT
- B64G: COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR

## Abstract

For exploring the high density high temperature atmosphere of a planet at a stabilized altitude, a buoyant assembly comprising an inflatable envelope is used. A container connectable with the envelope and containing a liquid selected to vaporize in the planet atmosphere to an extent which decreases above the stabilized altitude and increases under the stabilized altitude, is launched into the planet atmosphere with the envelope in folded condition.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process for exploring the high density high temperature atmosphere of a planet other than Earth at a substantially predetermined altitude, comprising carrying from the Earth into said atmosphere a buoyant assembly comprising an inflatable closed envelope and a container connectable with said envelope and containing one compound stored in liquid form, selected to vaporize in said atmosphere to an extent which decreases above said altitude due to temperature decrease and which increases under said altitude, and having a molecular weight lower than the average molecular weight of said atmosphere.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A process according to claim 1, wherein the amount of stored liquid is selected in proportion to the value of the fully extended envelope for not subjecting the envelope to tensile forces when said liquid has completely vaporized in said atmosphere.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2)

A process according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said liquid is of a type which does not vaporize under the conditions prevailing in the earth atmosphere.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

A process according to claim 2, further comprising connecting an additional envelope to the first named inflatable envelope and communicating the additional envelope with an additional container containing an additional vaporizable liquid of a type different from the first liquid for stabilization at said predetermined altitude.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A process according to claim 1 for exploring the atmosphere of Venus, wherein the liquid compound in said container is selected from the group consisting of water, C.sub.2 H.sub.3 N, C.sub.6 H.sub.6, and CH.sub.4 O which each have a molecular mass lower than that of CO.sub.2 which constitutes the major portion of the Venusian atmosphere.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

A process according to claim 4 for exploring the atmosphere of Venus, wherein the liquid contained in said container is water, and the liquid contained in the additional container is selected from the group consisting of toluene C.sub.7 H.sub.8, 2-octene (cis) C.sub.8 H.sub.16 and anisol C.sub.7 H.sub.8 O.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A process according to claim 1 wherein said container comprises a material adapted to be fractured by the pressure of said compound when above a predetermined temperature lower than the temperature at said predetermined altitude, and wherein said method further comprises locating said container within said envelope, locating said envelope in packed condition in an air-tight enclosure, launching said enclosure toward said planet, and opening said enclosure in the atmosphere of said planet above said predetermined altitude.

### Claim 8

An apparatus for exploring the atmosphere for Venus at a predetermined constant altitude, comprising:
a gas tight, rigid enclosure;
means for opening said enclosure in said atmosphere above said predetermined altitude;
and a buoyant assembly located in folded condition in said enclosure; said buoyant assembly comprising:
a first gas tight deformable inflatable envelope accomodating a first container containing water, said first container being constructed to fracture under the pressure forces developed by water vapour at a first altitude in said atmosphere,
a second gas tight deformable inflatable envelope accomodating a second container containing a fluid selected from the group consisting of toluene, 2-octene(cis) and anisol, said second container being constructed to fracture under the pressure forces developed by said fluid at a second altitude lower than said first altitude,
and a payload commensurate in weight with the buoyancy of said envelopes and connected to said envelopes.