Investigation of Stability Characteristics of Tethered Balloon Systems

摘要

An analytical investigation of the dynamic behavior of tethered balloons is in progress. The report, the second of three scientific reports, covers a study of stability characteristics of tethered balloon systems. Balloon systems which are investigated use the British BJ Barrage Balloon, the Vee Balloon and a Goodyear Aerospace Model No. 1649 Single-Hull Balloon. The major tether construction is Columbian Rope Company's NOLARO utilizing prestretched polyester filaments. Three design altitudes, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 feet, are considered. The model for the tethered balloon system consists of the streamlined balloon and a tether made up of three discrete links. Computer programs for the IBM 360 digital computer are presented to determine the characteristic equations of the systems, and obtain the roots which represent the frequency and damping qualities. (Author)