Trajectory and Performance Models for Earth and Planetary Balloons

Global Aerospace Corporation

Altadena, CA

Integrated modeling of Earth and planetary balloons and Lighter Than Air (LTA) systems in a single, user-friendly desktop computer application

• Developed a new software tool called Navajo for simulations of the vertical and horizontal trajectories of the high-altitude balloons.
• Modern user-friendly graphical interface enables significant flexibility in developing balloon flight simulations.
• Code is based on the advanced physical model that takes into account changing balloon shape during a flight and provides more realistic representation of the environment

• Provides high-accuracy vertical and horizontal trajectory predictions
• The Navajo design integrates environment, balloon (or LTA), gondola for ballast and communications trajectory control
• System sub-models to provide rapid and exhaustive evaluation of vertical and horizontal balloon and LTA vehicle trajectories.
• Utilizes extensible computer application architecture to permit user definition of additional balloons and environments. Enables users to swap balloon and environment models easily and assess the capabilities of new balloon technologies in a variety of environments.

• Balloon performance simulation and analysis tool, called Navajo, advances the state of the art for balloon performance models and assists NASA and commercial balloon designers, campaign and mission planners, and flight operations staff by providing high-accuracy vertical and horizontal trajectory predictions

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Curator: SBIR Support                   6/22/05