Solar hot air balloon

last changed :
24/ 08/ 2011

25 english pages only !

- See the solarballoons group. It's animated from Dwight S. (Ohio - USA)
- See the new WEB site :http://www.starfield-balloons.com/
and http://www.solar-balloons.com/

A solar balloon is an ultralight hot air balloon that only uses heat radiation from the sun to provide lift. Experimental technique nowadays, this innovative technique can be used for tethered or free flight, for recreational flying or other uses. The envelope is built from a black polyethylene plastic film 13-15 or 20 microns absorbs incident solar energy.

A small solar balloon 4 meters in diameter can lift 2 kg weight, one of 11 meters diameter can lift 55 kg, one of 14.5 meters diameter can lift 120 kg, etc.....

The "dirigeable solaire", on the model of the one sold by "Pif Gadget" in June 1982 :

a cylinder 3m long, 3m circumference ; that was about 95cm diameter.
It had quite a success on the beaches during the 1982 summer !

A very simple balloon...

it fly !

Pif Gadget (in french) : 8 pages scanned from the June 1982 special edition.

The smallest solar balloon!
Built with black plastic trash bags!

It lift 80 grams!

Build it in your living-room !

A solar mini-balloon can be built and used by childrens.
It can be made in your living-room with everyday materials : adhesive tape, black plastic trash bags, scissors, etc....
It will demonstrate the possible use of the sun's energies !

A small diameter solar balloon can be used :

to lift small payload in altitude : scientific measures, instruments, cameras, or test equipment (astronomy clubs, radio-amateurs, etc.)
- To see a flight report (in french) :
  Solar Balloon Flight on 8 June 2000
  IEG - Grenoble - St. Martin d'Heres (38), launch by Jean-Paul Yonnet
for shows, entertainment activities (holidays center, etc.)
as an teaching tool (middle school, high school, college),
- To see an actual example (in french) :
  Infrared hot-air balloon site
  of the College of VOREPPE (Isère)

A large diameter solar balloon can be used :

for human flight,
to lift heavy payloads in altitude,

Solar balloons used for human flight are fitted with a valve at the top, rotation panels and ballast bags. They can also be fitted with automatic altitude regulation, by electronically opening and closing the valve at the top of the balloon .

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compteur Orange

last changed : 24/ 08/ 2011 25 english pages only !

- See the solarballoons group. It's animated from Dwight S. (Ohio - USA) - See the new WEB site :http://www.starfield-balloons.com/ and http://www.solar-balloons.com/