High altitude powered lighter-than-air vehicle as remote sensing platform

In order to tackle global environmental problems such as destruction of the ozone layer or climatic changes due to atmospheric temperature increase, the acquisition of plentiful and precise data is necessary. Therefore, a means of conducting long-lasting high-resolution measurements over broad areas is required. A feasibility study has been made on a high altitude (20km), super-pressured helium-filled PLTA (Powered Ligher-than-Air) vehicle as an ideal platform for environmental observation. It has a long service life and carries a larger payload than an artificial satellite. This PLTA platform uses an electric propulsion system to maintain position in space against wind currents. The thruster is driven by solar power acquired from solar cells. For night use, solar energy is stored in regenerative fuel cells. This study focuses on energy balance and structural analysis of the hull and platform. The platform is capable of conducting high resolution remote sensing as well as having the capability to serve as a telecommunications relay. The platform could replace a number of ground-based telecommunications relay facilities, guaranteeing sufficient radio frequency intensity to secure good quality telecommunication transmittal. The altitude at which the platform resides has the lowest wind flow in the lower stratosphere, and permits viewing from the ground within a 1,000km range. Because this altitude is much lower than that required of an artificial satellite, the measuring resolution is a couple of thousand times higher than with artificial satellites. The platform can also be used to chase typhoons and observe them from their sources in tropical regions.