Stratospheric Balloons: Science and Commerce at the Edge of Space (Springer Praxis Books)

"Stratospheric balloons are powerful tools used to study the Earth and its atmosphere, as well as the greater cosmos beyond. This book describes the science and technology behind modern stratospheric ballooning, along with the surprising ways it has impacted our daily lives. The book takes you through every step of the process, starting with an in-depth introduction to basic balloon types and their uses before delving into balloon construction and mission planning. Along the way, you will learn about the novel technologies that have radically changed these balloons and their ability to launch, control and navigate them over specific ground targets. Next follows an exploration of their incredible applications, including research in atmospheric science, cosmology and astronomy, earth studies, meteorology, and aerobiology, and also commercial capabilities such as Internet networks and high-altitude tourism. The community of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs involved in stratospheric ballooning is only ever growing. This book shows you how these national and international efforts have truly soared in recent years, and it will be an enjoyable read for anybody interested in learning more about how science and commerce are conducted in the stratosphere, at the edge of space."--Back cover "This book explores the once popular idea of 'Flexible Path' in terms of Mars, a strategy that would focus on a manned orbital mission to Mars's moons rather than the more risky, expensive and time-consuming trip to land humans on the Martian surface. While currently still not the most popular idea, this mission would take advantage of the operational, scientific and engineering lessons to be learned from going to Mars's moons first. Unlike a trip to the planet's surface, an orbital mission avoids the dangers of the deep gravity well of Mars and a very long stay on the surface. This is analogous to Apollo 8 and 10, which preceded the landing on the Moon of Apollo 11. Furthermore, a Mars orbital mission could be achieved at least five years, possibly 10 before a landing mission. Nor would an orbital mission require all of the extra vehicles, equipment and supplies needed for a landing and a stay on the planet for over a year. The cost difference between the two types of missions is in the order of tens of billions of dollars. An orbital mission to Deimos and Phobos would provide an early opportunity to acquire scientific knowledge of the moons and Mars as well, since some of the regolith is presumed to be soil ejected from Mars. It may also offer the opportunity to deploy scientific instruments on the moons which would aid subsequent missions. It would provide early operational experience in the Mars environment without the risk of a landing. The author convincingly argues this experience would enhance the probability of a safe and successful Mars landing by NASA at a later date, and lays out the best way to approach an orbital mission in great detail. Combining path-breaking science with achievable goals on a fast timetable, this approach is the best of both worlds--and our best path to reaching Mars safely in the future."--Publisher's description Just what does it take to be a stratonaut, soaring to higher and higher altitudes of Earth's atmosphere? Brave men and women have reached extreme heights in balloons, aircraft and rocket ships over the past two centuries, from the first untethered balloon flight to the first flights in the newly defined stratosphere, through to the present flights that continue to set new records. This book defines the altitudes related to the stratosphere, how it changes with latitude and the effects on ascending aviators. Also described is how over time technology enabled aircraft and balloons to achieve higher altitudes. The book shows the clear influence of the military on designs that initially focused on speed and maneuverability, but only later on reaching new altitudes. The early flights into the troposphere and eventually the mid to upper reaches of the stratosphere are chronicled, with great emphasis on flight operations. This includes decompression, bailouts, inertia coupling, ejections, catastrophic disintegration, crashes and deaths. Although the book highlights major altitude attempts and records, it also focuses on the life-threatening problems confronting the would-be stratonaut and the causes of many of their deaths. In doing so, it tries to define just what it takes to be a stratonaut. This Book Explores The Practicality Of Using The Existing Subsurface Geology On The Moon And Mars For Protection Against Radiation, Thermal Extremes, Micrometeorites And Dust Storms Rather Than Building Surface Habitats At Great Expense At Least For Those First Few Missions. It Encourages Nasa To Plan A Precursor Mission Using This Concept And Employ A “short Stay” Opposition Class Mission To Mars As The First Mission Rather Than The “long Stay” Concept Requiring A Mission That Is Too Long, Too Dangerous And Too Costly For Man’s First Missions To Mars. Included In These Pages Is A Short History On The Uses Of Caves By Early Humans Over Great Periods Of Time. It Then Describes The Ongoing Efforts To Research Caves, Pits, Tunnels, Lava Tubes, Skylights And The Associated Technologies That Pertain To Potential Lunar And Mars Exploration And Habitation. It Describes Evidence For Existing Caves And Lava Tubes On Both The Moon And Mars. The Work Of Noted Scientists, Technologists And Roboticists Are Referenced And Described. This Ongoing Work Is Moreextensive Than One Would Think And Is Directly Applicable To Longer Term Habitation And Exploration Of The Moon And Mars. Emphasis Is Also Given To The Operational Aspects Of Working And Living In Lunar And Martian Caves And Lava Tubes. This book explores the practicality of using the existing subsurface geology on the Moon and Mars for protection against radiation, thermal extremes, micrometeorites and dust storms rather than building surface habitats at great expense at least for those first few missions. It encourages NASA to plan a precursor mission using this concept and employ a Short Stay Opposition Class mission to Mars as the first mission rather than the Long Stay concept requiring a mission that is too long, too dangerous and too costly for mans first missions to Mars. Included in these pages is a short history on the uses of caves by early humans over great periods of time. It then describes the ongoing efforts to research caves, pits, tunnels, lava tubes, skylights and the associated technologies that pertain to potential lunar and Mars exploration and habitation. It describes evidence for existing caves and lava tubes on both the Moon and Mars. The work of noted scientists, technologists and roboticists are referenced and described. This ongoing work is more extensive than one would think and is directly applicable to longer term habitation and exploration of the Moon and Mars. Emphasis is also given to the operational aspects of working and living in lunar and Martian caves and lava tubes. "This is the story of the work of the original NASA space pioneers; men and women who were suddenly organized in 1958 from the then National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) into the Space Task Group. A relatively small group, they developed the initial mission concept plans and procedures for the U. S. space program. Then they boldly built hardware and facilities to accomplish those missions. The group existed only three years before they were transferred to the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas, in 1962, but their organization left a large mark on what would follow. Von Ehrenfried's personal experience with the STG at Langley uniquely positions him to describe the way the group was structured and how it reacted to the new demands of a post-Sputnik era. He artfully analyzes how the growing space program was managed and what techniques enabled it to develop so quickly from an operations perspective. The result is a fascinating window into history, amply backed up by first person documentation and interviews." -- Publisher's description This Book Describes The Future Of The Artemis Lunar Program From The Years 2017 To About 2030. Despite The Uncertainty Of The Times And The Present State Of Space Exploration, It Is Likely That What Is Presented In This Book Will Actually Happen, To One Degree Or Another. As History Has Taught Us, Predictions Are Often Difficult, But One Can See Enough Into The Future To Be Somewhat Accurate. As The Bible Says, “wesee Thru The Glass, But Darkly.” All Of The Elements Of The Proposed Program Are Described From Several Perspectives: Nasa’s, The Commercial Space Industry And Our International Partners. Also Included Are Descriptions Of The Many Vehicles, Habitats, Landers, Payloads And Experiments. The Book Tells The Story Of The Buildup Of A Very Small Space Station In A Strange New Lunar Orbit And The Descent Of Payloads And Humans, Including The First Women And Next Man, To The Lunar Surface With The Intent To Evolve A Sustained Presence Over Time. La 4ème de couverture indique : This book describes the history of this now iconic room which represents America's space program during the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz and early Space Shuttle eras. It is now a National Historic Landmark and is being restored to a level which represents the day the flight control teams walked out after the last lunar landing missions. The book is dedicated to the estimated 3,000 men and women who supported the flights and tells the story from their perspective. It describes the rooms of people supporting this control center; those rooms of engineers, analysts and scientists most people never knew about. Some called it a "shrine" and some called it a "cathedral." Now it will be restored to its former glory and soon thousands will be able to view the place where America flew to the moon." Stratonauts chronicles humankind’s quest for ever higher altitudes from ancient times to the present. It is based upon history, science and technology, and tells some interesting and fascinating stories along the way. It pays tribute to those killed while attempting to reach the stratosphere over the past several centuries. “Dutch” von Ehrenfried uses his personal experience as a NASA sensor operator on the RB-57F, flying to an altitude of 70,000 feet, as well as the input and experience from other RB-57F, U-2, A-12, SR-71 and F-104 pilots. Although many of the aircraft and balloons are described, more emphasis is placed on the crews and what they went through. This book is intended for aviators of all kinds and flying enthusiasts in general. The Sputnik reaction The president The National Security Council The Congress The Department of Defense and other agencies Creation of the Space Task Group The AVRO Canadians The STG organization Representatives and contractors The need for more people The end of the Space Task Group Some key project Mercury decisions and lessons learned. Facilities created for Project Mercury Mission designs and concepts The impact of NASA and the STG on history Appendix 1: STG organization lists, charts, and manning Appendix 2: Biographies Appendix 3: STG technology Appendix 4: Some photos Appendix 5: Quotes Appendix 6: Stories and trivia Appendix 7: Author's STG experience.