SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTER-THAN-AIR (LTA) PLATFORMS

摘要

Innovative new systems and method of operating the systems, wherein the system comprises an airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon; a payload that is separate from the unmanned balloon; a transceiver; first and second flight termination devices; at least two separate power sources for the first and second flight termination devices; a sensor; a processor; a pump; a valve; and a tether that when broken separates the unmanned balloon and the payload, are disclosed herein.

主权项

1. A method comprising operating a system, the system comprising:
an airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon comprising a gas enclosure; a pump and a valve; a GPS configured to determine current geographical coordinates of the unmanned balloon; a payload comprising a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is capable of communicating with communication devices that are separate from the unmanned balloon and include a communication device on the ground and a payload of another operational unmanned balloon, wherein, in operation, the unmanned balloon substantially drifts along with wind currents; first and second flight-termination devices each configured to cause termination of a flight of the unmanned balloon; and at least two power sources each configured to provide power to at least one of the first and second flight-termination devices; wherein the unmanned balloon is configured to be operational above an altitude of about 60,000 feet, and wherein a transmitter operationally related to the unmanned balloon is configured to provide a last recorded position of the unmanned balloon such that the last recorded position is sent to a station to aid in recovery of the unmanned balloon; and transmitting data from the airborne platform.