Replies to post #142142 on World Surveillance Group Inc (fka WSGI)

[indyjonesohio]

WW, I value your insights and your greater aeronautical expertise. Thank you for being willing to share them. If you can be patient with me, could I ask why, in your opinion, a non-rigid envelope like the Argus would have more trouble than the Japanese fusen bakudan of WWII or even Baungartner's envelope in surviving the ascent through the jet stream? With a small proof of concept model I would not try to do a controlled ascent through the tropopause--just screw down the hatches and turn the systems on once you are in the stratosphere. First one I might not try controlled flight at all--just pop up--vent and come down.

I can understand the problems for a rigid design like SkySat. And I know we would have the threat of having payload or prop stripped off--I get that. But, given an uncontrolled ascent and descent with a non-rigid envelope--do you still see problems that aren't obvious? Thanks for your kindness and your patience--and your commitment to the company. Stratospheric regards, IndyJonesOhio.

[indyjonesohio]

WW, found this on Aerostar Raven's web site:

Aerostar teamed with Southwest Research Institute to develop the HiSentinel airship, a tactical high altitude airship capable of sustaining station-keeping flight for 30-90 days. In 2005, HiSentinel carried a 60 pound user payload and telemetry pod to 74,000 feet and achieved powered flight for 1.5 hours during a five hour flight. Since this historic flight, additional flights were completed in 2008 and 2010. Today, Aerostar continues extensive development of the next high altitude airship.

Prior to that historic flight, Raven Industries, Aerostar’s parent company, was the first to fly an unmanned airship in the stratosphere in 1969. High Platform II achieved powered flight at 70,000 feet for two hours with a five pound telemetry and propulsion payload.

As I said, I am a ground pounder, not a stratonaut! Aerostar Raven is a WSGI competitor IMO but not a low-cost solution provider. When you have a corporate structure that is built to handle $7M systems, it is hard to retool for $250K systems IMO. I think they call this the advantage of the late start in business. Thanks for all you do. Warm regards, IndyJones