| 摘要 |
A high altitude platform 4 is tethered 2 to a ground level location, preferably a ship 1, wherein the tether is coated 18 in a hydrophobic material. The platform 4 may be supported by a balloon 3. The platform may include apparatus for generating electrical energy at altitude such as a fuel cell. The tether may include a conduit 6 for transferring a fluid fuel to the generating unit. The tether includes strengthening cables 10 within a skin 18. The tether also includes a tail 12 with a fin 14 connected to it by a ring or actuator. The platform may host a variety of information services such as internal antennas, wireless communications, television transmission, GPS links, aircraft warning systems, radar reflectors and lights. The tether may have a non-circular cross-section. The platform may be contained within a shroud to which it is non-rigidly connected. The tether may include at least two electrical power cables to transport power to the platform. |
