Nock Nov99

GLOBAL CONSTELLATION OF
STRATOSPHERIC SCIENTIFIC
PLATFORMS
Presentation to the NASA Institute of
Advanced Concepts (NIAC)
by
Kerry T. Nock
Global Aerospace Corporation
November 9, 1999
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
Global Stratospheric Constellation
Global Aerospace Corporation 2 KTN - November 9, 1999
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
TOPICS
CONCEPT OVERVIEW
EARTH SCIENCE OVERVIEW
CONSTELLATION MANAGEMENT
TRAJECTORY CONTROL
BALLOON
GONDOLA
INTERNATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
PHASE 2 PLAN
SUMMARY
CONCEPT OVERVIEW
Global
Aerospace
Corporation BENEFITS OF
STRATOSPHERIC CONSTELLATIONS
TO NASA
Provide low-cost, continuous, simultaneous,
global Earth observations options
Provides in situ and remote sensing from very
low Earth orbit
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
CONCEPT DESCRIPTION
Tens to Hundreds of Small, Long-life Stratospheric
Balloons or StratoSats
Uniform Global Constellation Maintained by Trajectory
Control Systems (TCS)
Flight Altitudes of 30-35 km Achievable With Advanced,
Lightweight, Superpressure Balloon Technology
Gondola and TCS Mass of 235 kg at 35 km Altitude
Goal of ~50% Science Instrument Payload of Gondola
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
CONCEPT SCHEMATIC
StratoSat Flight System
Global Constellation
Gondola
10-15 km
StratoSail
Trajectory Control
System (TCS)
~40-50 m dia.
Super-pressure
Balloon
Possible
Science
Sensors
~50-100 kg
Rel. Wind
0.3-10 m/s
Rel. Wind
5-50 m/s
30-35 km
Flight Altitude
Dropsonde
Global
Aerospace
Corporation RATIONALE FOR STRATOSATS
High Cost of Space Operations (Spacecraft and
Launchers) Relative to Balloon Platforms
Advanced Balloons Are Capable and Desirable High
Altitude Science Platforms
In Situ Measurement Costs Are Reducing With the
Advance of Technology (Electronics Miniaturization,
Sensor Advances)
There is an Emerging and Widely Accessible Global
Communications Infrastructure
Balloons Fly Close to the Earth and Are Slow, Both
Positive Characteristics for Making Remote Sensing
Measurements
A Constellation of Balloon Platforms May Be More Cost
Effective Than Satellites for Some Measurements
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
KEYS TO THE CONCEPT
Affordable, Long-duration Stratospheric
Balloon and Payload Systems
Lightweight, Low Power Balloon Trajectory
Control Technology
Global Communications Infrastructure
EARTH SCIENCE OVERVIEW
ESE STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Understand the causes and consequences of land-cover/land-use
change
Predict seasonal-to-interannual climate variations
Identify natural hazards, processes, and mitigation strategies
Detect long-term climate change, causes, and impacts
Understand the causes of variation in atmospheric ozone
concentration and distribution
Understand the causes and consequences of land-cover/land-use
change
Predict seasonal-to-interannual climate variations
Identify natural hazards, processes, and mitigation strategies
Detect long-term climate change, causes, and impacts
Understand the causes of variation in atmospheric ozone
concentration and distribution
Expand scientific knowledge
of the Earth system . . . from
the vantage points of space,
aircraft, and in situ platforms
Expand scientific knowledge
of the Earth system . . . from
the vantage points of space,
aircraft, and in situ platforms
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
PROMISING EARTH
SCIENCE THEMES Climate Change Studies
Water Vapor and Global Circulation in the Tropics*
Radiative Studies in the Tropics:
Global Radiation Balance*
Ozone Studies
Mid-latitude Ozone Loss
Arctic Ozone Loss*
Global Distribution of Ozone*
Weather Forecasting
Hurricane Forecasting and Tracking
Forecasting Weather from Ocean Basins & Remote Areas
Global Circulation and Age of Air
Global Ocean Productivity
Hazard Detection and Monitoring
Communications for Low Cost, Remote Surface Science
* Discussed further in later charts
CLIMATE CHANGE: GLOBAL
RADIATION BALANCE
Equator 30 60 90 -30 -60 -90
0
20
30
40
10
T
r
o
p
o
p
a
u
s
e
Stratosphere
Troposphere
km
Rotatable
Detector
&
Filter
Data
Acquisition
Pyronometer
Cloud LIDAR
Detector
System
Laser
System
CLIMATE CHANGE: DYNAMICAL
PROCESSES IN TROPICS
Equator 30 60 90 -30 -60 -90
0
20
30
40
10
T
r
o
p
o
p
a
u
s
e
Stratosphere
Troposphere
Subsidence
Large-scale
Ascent
in situ TDL Water, Ozone & CO
2

Absorption Measurement Cell
Air
Flow
Source Beam
Detector
Microwave
Temperature
Profiler
Mixer
Detector
LO
Cal Target
Scanning
Mirror
wave
Ozone &
Water
Vapor
LIDAR
Detector
System
Laser
System
km
OZONE STUDIES: GLOBAL
DISTRIBUTION OF OZONE
Equator 30 60 90 -30 -60 -90
0
20
30
40
10
Stratosphere
T
r
o
p
o
p
a
u
s
e
Troposphere
km
Dropsondes
H
2
O, O
3
, CH
4
,
N
2
O and T, P
Meteorology
Science Pods
Every 2-3 km, T, P
Cross
Tropopause
Exchange
OZONE STUDIES: POLAR OZONE LOSS
Pole 80 70 80 70
20
30
40
10
Stratosphere
Troposphere
Mixing
Region
km
Polar
Vo
rte
x
4445 km
Scattered Light Partical Detector
Measures: Aerosols
Air
Flow
Source
Beam
Detector
Multipass
Absorption Cell
Measures: HCl, CH4, N2O, O3
Air
Flow
Source
Beam
Detector
Vortex
Edge
L
im
b
FTIR Mid-latitude Air
Polar Stratospheric
Clouds (PSCs)
FTIR
Interferometer
Camera
Sun
Tracker
Fore
Optics
FXST
Optics
T, P
FTIR / SLS Limb Scan Geometry
Submillimeter
Emission
Limb
Scanner
(SLS)
Harmonic
Mixer
Gunn
Oscillator
318.5 GHz
Data
Handling
Limb
Radiation
640 GHz
IF Spectral
Analysis
Streerable
Reflector
Plate
SLS
665 km
35 km
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
SURFACE REMOTE SENSING
30-45 km
1000 km
7200 m/s
<50 m/s
At 30 km a StratoSat Platform Is >30 times Closer
to the Earths Surface Than Sun-synchronous LEO
Satellites
The Ground Speed of a 30 km StratoSat Is a Factor
of >140 times Slower Than LEO Satellites (angular
rates over nadir are >2 times less)
A Constellation of Stratospheric Balloons Can
Observe the Entire Earth at the Same Time
CONSTELLATION MANAGEMENT
ASSUMPTIONS
100 StratoSats @ 35 km
Simulation Start: 1992-11-10
UK Met Office Assimilation
4 hrs per frame
4 month duration
STATISTICS
0
200
400
600
800
1000
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
N
N
S
D

[
k
m
]
Time from start [days]
Start Date: 1992-11-10T00:00:00
35 km constant altitude flights
100 balloons, UKMO Environment
GLOBAL CONSTELLATION WITHOUT
TRAJECTORY CONTROL
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
CONSTELLATION
GEOMETRY MAINTENANCE
Balloons Drift in the Typical and Pervasive Zonal
Stratospheric Flow Pattern
Trajectory Control System Applies a Small, Continuous
Force to Nudge the Balloon in Desired Direction
Balloons Are in Constant Communications With a Central
Operations Facility
Stratospheric Wind Assimilations and Forecasts Are
Combined With Balloon Models to Predict Balloon
Trajectories
Balloon TCS Are Periodically Commanded to Adjust
Trajectory Control Steering to Maintain Overall
Constellation Geometry
ILLUSTRATION OF CONTROL
EFFECTIVENESS
5 m/s Toward Equator 5 m/s Toward Poles
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
MAINTENANCE STRATEGIES
Environment Information Used
Successive Correction Data (Interpolated Measurements)
Assimilations (Atmospheric Model Tuned by Actual Measurements)
Forecasts (Can Be Used for Look-ahead Decision-making)
Level of TCS Model Fidelity
1. Omni-directional Delta-v of Fixed Amount Applied at StratoSat
2. Delta-v Proportional to True Relative Wind at TCS
3. Actual TCS Aerodynamic Model and Sophisticated TCS Control
Algorithms
Network Control Algorithms
Randomization: Move StratoSats North or South Randomly
Molecular Control: Each Balloon Responds Only To Its Neighbor
Macro Control: Entire Network Is Managed, Balloons Are Moved
Between Zones
Cyclone Scale Coordinates for Control Algorithms
GLOBAL CONSTELLATION WITH
SIMPLE, INTELLIGENT CONTROL
ASSUMPTIONS
100 StratoSats @ 35 km
Simulation Start: 1992-11-10
UK Met Office Assimilation
4 hrs per frame
4 month duration
5 m/s control when separation
is < 2000 km
Same initial conditions
0
200
400
600
800
1000
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
N
N
S
D

[
k
m
]
Time from start [days]
Start Date: 1992-11-10T00:00:00
35 km altitude flights
100 balloons, UKMO Environment
Free-floating
Paired NS and
Zonal Control
STATISTICS
TRAJECTORY CONTROL
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
FEATURES OF
STRATOSAIL TCS
Passively Exploits Natural Wind Conditions
Operates Day and Night
Offers a Wide Range of Control Directions Regardless of
Wind Conditions
Can Be Made of Lightweight Materials, Mass <100 kg
Does Not Require Consumables
Requires Very Little Electrical Power
Relative Wind at Gondola Sweeps Away Contaminants
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
ADVANCED TRAJECTORY
CONTROL SYSTEM
Advanced Design Features
Lift force can be greater than weight
Will stay down in dense air
Less roll response in gusts
Employs high lift cambered airfoil
Greater operational flexibility
ULDB Dynamically-scaled
Model Flight Test
ULDB Dynamically-scaled ULDB Dynamically-scaled
Model Flight Test Model Flight Test
BALLOON
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
BALLOON DESIGN OPTIONS
Spherical Envelope
Spherical Structural Design
High Envelope Stress
High Strength, Lightweight Laminate Made of Gas Barrier Films
and Imbedded High Strength Scrims
Multi-gore, Load / Seam Tapes
Pumpkin Envelope
Euler Elastica Design
Medium Envelope Stress
Lightweight, Medium Strength Films
Lobbed Gores With Very High Strength PBO Load-bearing
Tendons Along Seams
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
BALLOON VEHICLE
DESIGN
Baseline Balloon Design
Euler Elastica Pumpkin Design
68,765 m
3
, 59/35 m Eq/Pole Dia.,
Equivalent to 51 m dia. Sphere
Advanced Composite Film, 15 m
thick, 15 g/m
2
Areal Density
140 gores each 1.34 m Max Width
Polybenzoxazole (PBO) Load
Tendons At Gore Seams
Balloon Mass of 236 kg
SOLAR ARRAY / BALLOON
INTEGRATION
Seam/Load
Tape as
Solar Array
Seam/Load
Tape as
Solar Array
Gore Center
As
Solar Array
Gore Center
As
Solar Array
Seam/Load Tape / Solar Cells
(~ 3 cm wide)
Envelope Film
Envelope Film
Thin Film Amorphous Si
Solar Array Cells
(~30 cm wide)
Example Power
48 m dia Spherical Design
100 Gores/Seams
3 cm Wide Solar Array
10 % Efficiency
4.7 kW
Sphere Pumpkin
GONDOLA
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
STRATOSAT GONDOLA
StratoSat Gondola
Example Climate Change
Science Payload
2x1x0.5 m warm electronic
box (WEB) with louvers for
daytime cooling
Electronics attached to
single vertical plate
LIDAR telescopes
externally attached to WEB
TCS wing assembly (TWA)
stowed below gondola at
launch before winch-down
Science pods on tether
Stowed Gondola
INTERNATIONAL OVERFLIGHT
CONSIDERATIONS
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
INTERNATIONAL OVERFLIGHT
Current Scientific Balloon Program
Overflight Often Allowed Especially If No Imaging and If Scientists
of Concerned Countries Are Involved
Not All Countries Allow Overflight and This List Changes
Depending on World Political Conditions
Treaty on Open Skies - Signed By 25 Nations in 1992
Establishes a Regime of Unarmed Military Observation Flights Over
the Entire Territory of Its Signatory Nations
First Step of Confidence Building Security Measures (CBSM)
Future Political Climate
Global Networks Can Build on World Meteorological Cooperation
World Pollution Is a Global Problem Which Will Demand Global
Monitoring Capability
First Steps Need to Be Important Global Science That Does Not
Require Surface Imaging
PHASE II PLAN
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
PHASE II PLAN
Constellation Management
Control of Distributed Systems in Chaotic Environments Research
Develop Advanced Constellation Geometry Control Algorithms
Integrate Balloon Model, Environment and Advanced TCS Models
and Control Algorithms in Constellation Simulations and Analysis
Advanced Trajectory Control
Develop Control Models and Design Concepts
Advanced Balloon Design
Materials Research
Structural and Thermal Design
Envelope Design and Fabrication Technology
Science Applications Development
Proof-of-Concept Flight Definition - A Logical Next Step
Broaden Search for New Earth Science Concepts
SUMMARY
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
SUMMARY
The StratoSat Is a New Class of in Situ Platform Providing:
Low-cost, Continuous, Simultaneous, Global Observations Options
In Situ and Remote Sensing From Very Low Earth Orbit
Global Stratospheric Constellations Will Expand Scientific
Knowledge of the Earth System
Broader Involvement of the Earth Science Community Is
Encouraged and Sought in the Definition of Constellation
Mission and Instrument Concepts
A Proof-of Concept Science Mission Is One Essential First
Step on the Path Toward Global Stratospheric
Constellations
APPENDIX
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
STEPS TO GLOBAL STRATO-
SPHERIC CONSTELLATIONS
Constellation Types / Locale
Regional
South Polar
Tropics
North Polar
Southern Hemisphere
Global
Sparse Networks for Wide
representative Coverage
Dense Networks for Global
Surface Accessibility
Measurements Types
In Situ & Remote Sensing of
Atmospheric Trace Gases
Atmospheric Circulation
Remote Sensing of Clouds
Atmospheric State (T, P, U, Winds)
Radiation Flux
Low Resolution Visible & IR
Surface and Ocean Monitoring
High Resolution Surface Imaging
and Monitoring
A First Step Is a Proof-of-concept Science Experiment
Using Soon to Be Available ULDB Technology
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
STRATOSAT FLIGHT
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Flight System Design Features
Sample Payload for Climate Change
Studies in Tropics
68,800 m
3
Pumpkin balloon
5 kW capable integrated solar array
Telecom capable of 6 Mb/s
Advanced TCS
Tethered science pods
Mass Summary
Subsystem Mass, kg
Balloon 236
Helium 87
Power 19
Telecomm 5
Mechanical 30
Guidance & Control 1
Robotic Controller 1
Trajectory Control 81
Science 56
Science Reserve 44
Total 560
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
HOW THE TCS WORKS
Winds vary with altitude
Balloon at 30 km
Wing at 20 km
Relative wind velocity
~15 m/s
Wing generates lift force
Lift force is horizontal
force is transmitted by tether to balloon
balloon drifts relative to local air mass
balloon drag wing lift
Wing is in much denser air than balloon
25km : 35km (5x); 20km : 35km (10x)
equivalent wing area increased relative to balloon
-40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20
0
10
20
30
40
Mean Zonal Wind, m/s
Altitude,
km
Alice Springs,
January, 24 S
Fairbanks,
July, 65 N
Source: Randel, W.J.,
Global Atmospheric Circulation
Statistics, 1000-1 mb,
NCAR/TN-366+STR, Feb. 1992
15 m/s
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
HOW THE TCS WORKS,
CONTINUED
TCS
LIFT mode
TCS
STALL mode
TOP VIEW OF TCS
LIFT / DRAG FORCE POLAR
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Alpha
CL
LIFT vs ANGLE OF ATTACK
Lift/Drag Polar: Contours of
Feasible Aerodynamic Forces
Stall Point
Fh
Fh
V
rel
F
h
V
rel
F
h

Global
Aerospace
Corporation
HOW THE TCS WORKS,
CONTINUED
V
cross
V
drift
V
rel
V
b
V
true
V
T
CS
V
rel
L
D
Fh
Balloon
TCS
F
dr
ift
~ F
h
V
d
rift

=
2 * F
d
rift

A
b

C
D
( )
1/2
= - tan
-
1
(D/L)
V
cross
=V
drift

* Cos
Tether
Expanded Vector Diagram

}
Top View
Global
Aerospace
Corporation
ANGLES EXAGGERATED &
FORCES NOT TO SCALE
F
B
B
~ 0.25
F
BV
~ 16,000 N
F
BH
~ 70 N
F
T
G

~ 0.4
W
G
~ 15,000 N
l
1
l
2
T
~ 4
F
T
L ~ 70 N
L
V
~ 5 N
W
TCS
~ 1000 N
L + W = - F
T

SYMBOLS
T -> TETHER
G -> GONDOLA
B -> BALLOON
H -> HORIZONTAL
V -> VERTICAL
W -> WEIGHT
F -> FORCE
L -> LIFT
T
~ 4
GONDOLA
AT 35 km
TCS
AT 20 km
BALLOON
ASSUMPTIONS
BALLOON DRIFT ~ 2 m/s
0.6 million m
3
BALLOON
GONDOLA ~ 1500 kg
TCS ~ 100 kg
l
1
= 2 l
2
LIFT OF ~ 70 N
REQUIRES TCP WING
AREA OF ~ 16 m
2

ASSUMING C
L

of 1.0
ULDB TCS
FORCE
DIAGRAM

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GLOBAL CONSTELLATION OF

Global Stratospheric Constellation

Expanded Vector Diagram

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