GOLFnSUN
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join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
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1 edit |  Possible for temp situations; but permanent??
This sounds like it has some possibilities for those temporary situations mentioned in the linked news release. But I don't see how a balloon can maintain a permanent presence that could replace towers or satellite communications. Unlike the Stratellite(which has a location maintaining propeller system), a balloon is subject to the vagaries of the winds.
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Jafo232
You Can't Spell Democrat Without Rat.
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join:2002-10-17
Boonville, NY | I was thinking a tether, but at 12-15 miles in the air I do not think it would be practicle..
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BIGMIKE
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join:2002-06-07
Westminster, CA
| reply to GOLFnSUN
Huge Helium Balloon Sets High-Flying Record
A robotic balloon with a science mission recently set records for distance and duration in a 41-day flight above the Antarctic.
The NASA-operated balloon flew circles around the South Pole while gathering data on cosmic rays, high-energy particles that travel at nearly light-speed and slam into Earth's upper atmospher
Artist rendering of the Ultra-Long Duration Balloon, expected to fly for 100 days. Credit: NASA
»www.livescience.com/technology/0···ord.html |
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calvoiper
join:2003-03-31
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
| reply to Jafo232
...to say nothing of the hazard the tether would create for lower flying airplanes.
Remember, England used balloons on tethers (called "barrage balloons") during WW II to deter German bombers.
calvoiper
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macmouse
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join:2002-05-30
Saratoga, CA
| reply to GOLFnSUN
If they put up a few in a area, that actually would probably work Alright. Just "roam" from one ballon to the other as the wind pushes them around. At a extreme they could daily take one down on the far side and bring it back to the start. I bet five would be enough to provide continious coverage of a area. Take 1 down, and you still have 4 in the air. As a bonus, they can do an upgrade while they are bringing it back to the start. A bit of work, yes but not unreasonable. After all, they now only have 5 units to look after, with maybe 2-3 guys to catch the one's that are landing. Compared to *thousands* of different conduits and wire cabinets that are spread out over a city with a small army of people to keep it all in shape. |
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calvoiper
join:2003-03-31
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
| Have you ever tried to "catch" a free balloon? Even with a piloted balloon, the thing comes down in somebody's yard or field and you're usually depending on the good graces of the landowner to not object while you collect, fold, pack, etc.
I suspect any prolonged series of repeat landings would provoke (at best) strong legal objections from the downwind landowners, or possibly (at worst) a face-off with a shotgun toting property owner.
calvoiper
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