Solar hot-air balloon, and a method for producing its supporting body

摘要

In the case of conventional hot-air balloons, heavy gas bottles must be carried in order to produce the hot air. There is a considerable risk of fire when the burner is operated particularly with respect to the combustible envelope of the hot-air balloon, whose range is linked to the capacity of the gas bottle or bottles carried. The novel solar hot-air balloon is intended to overcome the disadvantages of conventional hot-air balloons. In particular, the risk of fire is intended to be reduced to a minimum, and the range of the solar hot-air balloon is intended to be independent of the quantity of gas carried. The supporting body is essentially formed by a translucent envelope made of plastic film with a reflector. The reflector extends over a subregion of the envelope, preferably in the lower region of the supporting body. The supporting body is equipped with a maneouvring valve which blows out horizontally, as a result of which positioning and braking maneouvres can be carried out, and the solar hot-air balloon can even achieve a certain amount of propulsion. <IMAGE>