Form 9.B Project Summary

Chron:

970670

Proposal

Number:

23.04-2196

Project Title:

INTEGRATED CRYOGENIC

HELIUM SYSTEM FOR EXTENDED

DURATION BALLOON FLIGHTS

Technical Abstract (Limit 200 words)

NASA is presently developing an Ultra Long

Duration Ballooning (ULDB) capability. This will

provide low cost, satellite like flight opportunities

for durations of up to 100 days. Innovative

technologies will be required to realize this new

capability. GSSL proposes an Integrated Cryogenic

Helium System (ICHS) for both extending flight

duration and augmenting on-board instrument

cooling. The ICHS consists of a combination liquid

helium and high pressure storage system, balloon

envelope interfaces, and an integrated control

system linked to the balloon control system and

on-board coolers. Major ICHS components are

bundled into a single unit that can be safely

jettisoned. Additionally, the lift surge capability

provided by the ICHS will allow trajectory

modification through altitude change. Flying

multiple orbits of the earth will create significant

political, logistical, and safety issues. Trajectory

modification will be critical for avoiding undesirable

flight paths and allowing successful recoveries. The

Phase I program will define strawman ULDB

payload requirements, identify ICHS hardware

requirements, and provide detailed design

specifications. Phase I results will provide the

necessary basis for the detailed design and

fabrication of a prototype ICHS in Phase II. The

interim Phase I results will be significant to NASA's

continuing ULDB development.

Potential Commercial Applications (Limit 200 words)

Scientific ballooning is a small niche market that is

dominated by NASA's balloon program. The

Integrated Cryogenic Helium System is designed to

be a powerful tool in both vehicle design and

mission planning. NASA has immediate need for

such a system, especially in the current ULDB

development program. Concurrently, GSSL is

developing a small commercial superpressure

program using its WindStar technology that will

also benefit from having an ICHS. The modular

design and flexible control system allows the ICHS

system to be applied to a wide range of balloon

sizes and mission requirements. While the ICHS is

specifically designed for extended duration balloon

flights, the basic technology has applications to any

system that requires intermittent cooling boosts.

These might include solar telescopes, laser based

instrumentation, or motor drive systems. Any

cryogen could be used, including liquid helium,

nitrogen, or others. The modular design approach of

the ICHS along with its LabVIEW interface brings

a high level of flexibility to any application, allowing

easy customization and modifica-tions for any

specific mission or instrument.

Name and Address of Principal Investigator (Name,

Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)

Tim Lachenmeier

GSSL, Inc.

284 NE Tralee Court

Hillsboro , OR 97124-1592

Name and Address of Offeror (Firm Name, Mail Address,

City/State/Zip)

Tim Lachenmeier

GSSL, Inc.

284 NE Tralee Court

Hillsboro , OR 97124-1592