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Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec. 2016 – Feb. 2017

# Content Page 1 Gas Races Test Skills, Endurance, and Luck 2 2 NASA Launches Giant Scientific in Antarctica 10 Solar Ship Challenges Lockheed Martin to a Race Across Northern Canada and 3 11 Africa Pilot of Deadliest Balloon Crash in US History Knew About Bad Weather; Eight 4 12 Prescription Drugs Found in System 5 Balloon Museum Celebrates High-Flying Pioneers 14 Arctic Air: Andrée’s Balloon Flight to North Pole | New Exhibition at Balloon 6 20 Museum 7 Experts See Red Flags in Amazon’s Patent for Floating Warehouses 21 8 Voliris Plans to Bring to the Desert 23 9 A Recreational Flight to Space in a Modern Balloon? 25

Office Location: Maryland, USA Contact Information: Ms. Sitara Maruf Phone: (240) 426-2040 Emails: [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.ltaflightmagazine.com

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017

1) Gas Balloon Races Test Skills, Endurance, and Luck by Sitara Maruf, 1st Dec. 2016

The Basket and the Balloon

Each team has two pilots who occupy a Balloon pilots Noah Forden and Bert Padelt’s crew escort their balloon to the launch small open basket about 5 feet by 3.5 feet. platform. Photo courtesy: Kim Vesely, America’s Challenge Baskets are usually made of wicker or other Noah Forden, an aerospace engineer by world’s most skilled and adventurous lighter-weight materials, such as profession, built his two-seater airplane in pilots. Another race of its kind is the lightweight aluminum or a metal alloy with his garage and also built his third hot air prestigious Gordon Bennett Cup (or Coupe fabric or composite panels. Overhead is balloon. He has been flying planes for 17 Aéronautique Gordon Bennett), founded in their — a 1000 cubic meters years and hot-air balloons for 26 years. Last 1906 and considered the world (37,000 cubic feet) conductive fabric sphere October, Forden, flew to the Albuquerque championships for distance gas ballooning. filled with hydrogen gas, capable of lifting International Balloon Fiesta (AIBF) in his The Gordon Bennett Cup is usually held in the basket, its two passengers, instruments, two-seater airplane and carried his cloud Europe. and other paraphernalia, and staying aloft hopper balloon to fly in Albuquerque. A for days. cloud hopper is different from a In these races, one of the challenges for the conventional hot-air balloon in that it does balloonists and their meteorologists (who Even though ballooning technology has not have a basket. Instead, Forden sits in a work from the ground) is to find the best improved considerably and communication harness, dangling his legs, with the propane wind trajectory that would help them fly is advanced, the race remains a real flying tank on his back. safely and achieve the farthest non-stop adventure. It tests the pilots’ endurance distance. Kim Vesely, spokesperson for and skills as they fly nonstop at high At the Fiesta, preparations were also on for America’s Challenge, says that in addition altitudes for days and nights, often over America’s Challenge—a cross country gas to each team’s meteorologist, the event also remote areas and large water transits, balloon race scheduled to launch on has a meteorologist. “Sophisticated weather harnessing the wind. “I would not call October 5, 2016. The race was introduced data is used in the decision-making process them daredevils, but calculated risk takers, by the Fiesta in 1995 to provide a consistent about when to launch and the data is also who enjoy the challenge, the adventure, the venue for gas ballooning and draws the supplied to pilots in advance,” says Vesely. poetry, and aesthetics of the oldest form of

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Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 manned flight,” says Vesely.

At the October 2016 Fiesta, six teams were scheduled for launch, but one team and a pilot dropped out for medical reasons. Bert Padelt, a gas balloon manufacturer, instructor, and pilot asked Forden to join him as his copilot. Forden had received his gas rating last February and had few hours of gas ballooning experience. “I could not understand why Bert chose me, especially when there were so many experienced gas balloonists present in Albuquerque. Maybe, he considered my experience with Air Traffic Control. I am very comfortable navigating in different types of air spaces and negotiating for passages,” said Forden. Nevertheless, he was thrilled and immediately agreed. “I spent two days running around to get some things that I needed, like helmet, warm clothing, water, Gas balloons prior to launch in the 2016 America’s Challenge Race; Photo courtesy: Kim food, and some emergency supplies.” Vesely, America’s Challenge Barbara Fricke and her husband Peter in 1963 flying airplanes and was also a Cuneo were taking part in their 18th flight instructor. In 1991, he took his first America’s Challenge, having won three. In hot-air balloon ride and was so attracted to their previous races, their flight paths have ballooning that he gave up flying airplanes. taken them over Lake Superior and Lake “While flying an airplane, you start with a Michigan, and in the Gordon Bennett Cup, key, and you fly; you don’t need anybody. they have flown over the North Sea, the But in ballooning you are working with so Adriatic Sea, the English Channel,some many people that you develop wonderful distance over the Mediterranean, and twice friendships across all economy strata,” says over the Swiss Alps. Except for two races, Bryant. He enjoys the camaraderie in the couple have always flown together. “In America’s Challenge and the gathering of my first competition, I flew with someone like-minded pilots. “It’s the flight, the else but then I decided to fly only with challenge, the wonder, and excitement that Barbara, and in 2002 when I was not brings about a feeling of accomplishment. available due to a family crisis, Barbara The joy in winning a trophy is only flew with someone else,” recalled Cuneo. momentary,” he says. Bryant has also Theirs was the only non-wicker basket competed in the Gordon Bennett Cup, and made from aluminum, fabric, and won fifth place after an adventurous flight composite materials, which they built it over the Mediterranean Sea and the The oldest form of flight–balloon and the themselves. mountains and an even more adventurous basket–fascinates many people. Philip landing at night. Bryant and Mike Emich drop confetti as Philip Bryant and copilot Mike Emich were The Polish entry included Kryzsztof Zapart they take off. Photo courtesy: Kim Vesely, one team. Bryant, started his aviation career America’s Challenge 3/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 and Bazyli Dawidziuk and France was is generally to the east and northeast.” And they flight paths into the Midwest, the Great represented by Benoit Pelard and Laurent cannot ditch in water for many reasons. “They Lakes region, and Canada and the launch

Lajoye. have to land on land, or they may get scheduled for Wednesday, October 5th, was disqualified,” she adds. canceled as they would have encountered Weather Briefing rain and strong thunderstorms during journeys over Kansas and Nebraska. Not During the launch week, America’s only do meteorologists look for calm Challenge meteorologist, Randy LeFevre weather at the time of the launch, but also briefed the pilots. The trajectories pointed over the anticipated long balloon journeys.

Phil Bryant (l), Mike Emich (R), and Peter Cuneo in the background, at the weather briefing

Rules, Equipment, and Legitimate Airspaces

Races have rules for safety and other reasons, and this one is no exception. Balloon pilots cannot fly above 18,000 feet. “Air Traffic Control (ATC) provides a separation between you and the other aircraft,” says Bryant. In these Weather briefing for balloon pilots during launch week. Photo Courtesy: Kim Vesely, America’s races, the flying altitude is typically between Challenge 10,000 and 14,000 feet. Some mandatory instruments for the flight include the altimeter, variometer, altitude recording device, VHF radio, aircraft strobe light, beam light for night landing, GPS, transponders, emergency locator transmitter, and a tracker that transmits position, speed, and direction every five minutes, so that race organizers and the public can keep tabs on all the balloons via a website.

Since countries can choose to grant or deny permission for aviators (including balloonists) to cross into their airspace, it’s better to let go of wind tracks (however faster) that would take them in the prohibited territory. For example, Mexico has been closed for competition for many years. “But it is rarely a factor in the America’s Challenge,” says Vesely, “the teams almost never go to Mexico. The prevailing track Pilots and officials at the weather briefing. 4/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017

Inflation and Launch see Sandia Peak clearly. They dropped 11 hours 45 minutes and we are still over Balloon bags of sand ballast and were relieved to Fiesta Park. What fun.” On October 6th, the teams inflated their know that they had sufficient height to pass Early on, there seemed to be two strategies balloons with hydrogen in the designated safely over Sandia Peak. area of the field, prepared specifically for but later the aeronauts picked trajectories in the purpose. “We have an area in the field various directions. that has ground rods in it to ground the Like Forden and Padelt, the Polish team of trucks that dispense hydrogen to the Kryzsztof Zapart and Bazyli Dawidziuk balloons,” says Vesely. At these launches, also flew high and fast over the Sandia it is customary to play the national anthems Mountains and out toward the Texas and relay a commentary; however, due to panhandle. the late hour, they had to skip the procedure. Phillip Bryant and Mike Emich hung Crews accompanied their teams to the around for several hours in Albuquerque. launch platforms and each team took off to “Soon after launch, we got into some an applause of enthusiastic spectators. unstable air. We should have gone much The Adventure higher and left the area much sooner than we did, and we consumed too much of our This was the first time, Forden was going to resources,” said Bryant. fly overnight or several nights in an open The French team came to America’s basket. As Forden was ready to take off, he Challenge with a different goal, and they shouted in excitement, “I’m really going to charted a different route by flying west. do this.” The ground and city lights moved Their aim was to fly over Grand Canyon farther away as they climbed, and in and land in Utah which nobody in absence of moonlight, it became pitch Noah Forden about to drop a sand bag to rise America’s Challenge had done before. black. They quickly deployed the aircraft higher. He launched with Bert Padelt. lights below the basket to improve their A couple of hours after launch, Forden visibility to other aircraft and followed Cuneo agrees that flying in the darkness can be decided to get some sleep and laid out his protocol to contact Air Traffic Control. very challenging. “At night time, you lose your bunk which took up half the basket space, depth perception. It is hard to see how close or but he could not sleep. He wore his night The surface winds were out of north, so far the mountain is to you. It’s like looking at vision goggles and stuck his head out on the they were pushed toward the south, but they shadows on a screen, and you’re not quite sure trap door to look below. They were flying wanted to go north. “We started to climb to whether you’re looking down at it, or is it higher over a forest. “It was really quite up and closer, or at the same altitude as you,” see if we could find a wind going north, but mesmerizing. I could hear coyotes howling instead proceeded toward the east side of says Cuneo, who has flown several times over the Sandia Mountains and twice over the Alps. at each other down below. We may have Albuquerque which has the large Sandia been two or three-thousand feet above the Mountains,” said Forden. “As we got closer This time, though, Cuneo and Fricke stayed low ground. Of course, the gas balloon is to the mountain, we had to commit to flying and went around the north end of the Sandia completely silent as compared to a hot-air over it. We kept on dropping sand ballast to Mountains. They waited it out over central New balloon and is not disturbing anything on climb—the mountain is very large, dark, Mexico for the first few hours to catch a better the ground. We were floating over this and faster wind current later, that would push and foreboding, and it was very difficult to vastness. I closed my eyes at one point and them toward the Midwest. “When our see. There are radio towers and antennas on meteorologist tells us to do something we go tried to sleep, but then I said: sleep later, this top of the mountain, and a tramway with a with it, because he has been right every year and is far too much fun.” cable, so we were concerned.” Thankfully, we have used him since 1998. His priority is a friend had lent them state-of-the-art night always to get the balloon down safely,” says For Bryant, gas ballooning is pure vision goggles, (originally manufactured Cuneo. About three hours after takeoff, Cuneo e- ballooning. “Once you launch in a gas for use by the Army), which helped them mailed his crew “We’ve been in the air for two balloon, it’s you and the elements. You stay 5/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 up for a couple of days and you live in the were in the mountains and it was magical to mostly in the night. About 8 a.m. Bryant basket and you get a chance to bask in the see the sun rise and cast shadows of the and Emich decided to take a precautionary wonder of flight. Of course, you have to pay mountains. It was quite moving,” recalls landing. “We figured that if we were to go attention to what you’re doing and must Forden. toward Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle, have a good understanding of the weather,” They had some coffee from their thermos then, we would have to land there as we did he says. which was still nice and hot. Crews usually not have enough ballast for a longer Pilots take turns sleeping in two or three- carry food and drink for the duration of the flight—but we would have faced 30-miles - hour shifts. Then, Padelt tried to sleep. For flight. Cuneo misses taking a cook stove, per-hour surface winds, while landing,” the watch, Forden sat on an upside down which they did when they flew helium said Bryant. five-gallon bucket with a cushion. balloons. “We used to prepare our warm “The laid-out bunk leaves very little room meals in the evenings. We cannot do that The French team brought their balloon to sit, and it was very uncomfortable. I was now while flying hydrogen balloons,” he down on the Navajo reservation of Eastern careful to hardly move, because if you says, so their meals on these extended Arizona, near White Ruin, after flying for move at all, it shakes the whole basket. flights come from pouches and packets. 15 hours, and achieved an America’s And, I did not want to disturb Bert.” Challenge first of a different kind by flying In the sixth hour, their Polish counterparts “As these flights occur at high altitudes and west. They were very pleased with their Kryzsztof Zapart and Bazyli Dawidziuk are often on oxygen, balloon pilots do not scenic flight and the memorable welcome were in the lead and were breezing at 39 have much appetite and have to force by the locals. themselves to eat,” says Vesely, adding that miles per hour (63 km/h). The teams mostly flew between 11,000 and 14,000 feet and had to use supplemental oxygen. “It is very uncomfortable having oxygen on for 24 hours. There is zero humidity in it and it dries out your sinuses,” says Forden. It was also 20 to 25°F at high altitude and Forden was enwrapped in his sleeping bag for most of the flight.

Since balloon flights occur in the direction of the wind, pilots don’t feel the wind, except when they change altitude and wind currents. However, the smallest oversight, in planning can make a lot of difference because sometimes it is hard to understand the wind pattern only until you are flying in it. Cuneo says, once, in the Gordon Bennet, he made a rookie mistake. “I figured we would be flying south toward Italy and it will be comfortable, but what I did not realize that the wind that was carrying us to Italy came from north and it was very cold.” Barbara Fricke and Peter Cuneo’s crew walk their balloon to the launch platform.The couple won the race for the fourth time. The cold is especially tormenting while flying over the Alps and the seas in the At dawn, as the sun peeked over the they have to make sure to drink enough Gordon Bennett race. horizon, Forden and Padelt were flying east fluids to stay hydrated. Around sunset, balloons start cooling and of Las Vegas city in . “We The teams had flown eight hours now, 6/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 descending and pilots throw ballast to rise. Sulphur Springs in Texas and enjoyed 300 tracking signals from other balloons if they Forden says, the sunset was as magical as miles lead ahead of the second and third were within a hundred-mile radius. “We the sunrise. Over the plains in Oklahoma place teams. Cuneo and Fricke were knew that we would not be able to overtake and northwest Texas, they sailed over wind gaining in on Forden and Padelt. For a race them and decided to land near Dodge City, farms (used to generate wind power). “All with a duration record of more than 70 Kansas.” of these windmills have lights on them and hours and distance record of 1998 miles, they are all synchronized. There were and the unpredictable wind pattern, their Landing a Balloon is a Bigger Challenge hundreds of acres of these windmills relative positions after 24 hours was little While preparing for landing, they surveyed constantly blinking at the same time. It indication of who will win. areas for power lines, barbed wires, and seemed so strange,” said Forden. trees, and aborted one attempt due to barbed They also drifted over regions that had no Forden and Padelt were second and flying northeast toward Texas. All the teams had wire. “There were a lot of heavy items in light pollution and, in the cloudless sky, the basket and we did not want anything to they saw all kinds of shooting stars. occasional access to the Fiesta’s race website. “Our meteorologist told us that fly around or hit us. We had to pack up everything in the basket. We put on our the leading Polish team would helmets and as we descended, we slowed eventually turn right and head to down to eight miles an hour.” They were the Gulf of Mexico and run out third in the race and had covered 429 miles of land,” said Forden. “We had (690.291 km) in 31 hours and 10 minutes. a better chance if we waited back for winds to go northeast Landing a hydrogen balloon calls for more and away from the Gulf of precaution, says Cuneo. “When spectators Mexico. We were going very come to watch, you have to make sure that slowly, but our meteorologist nobody is smoking or has any other thing was very happy with our track that would create a static charge. So usually and position and said that at 2 we try to land in the middle of the field a.m. the winds will pick up.” where there is nobody around.” The French team Benoit Pelard and Laurent Lajoye Padelt and Forden slept for a In a balloon flight, a night landing is launching couple of hours each during the dangerous and is used as a last resort only if second night. The Polish team the option to continue flying is a certain was still in the race but had lost disaster. But in one Gordon Bennett race, some distance by swinging Bryant had to take the tough decision to south and west and were flying land at night. “Every now and then, we were east of San Antonio, Texas, and being picked by a gust of wind and we knew were headed toward the there were thunderstorms in the Adriatic Mexican border. As Mexico was Sea and we didn’t want to go there,” said closed for competition, the team Bryant, recalling the tragic death of two that enjoyed the lead for most of Americans, Richard Abruzzo and Carol the race was now running out of Rymer Davis who went missing in flying room. thunderstorms over the Adriatic Sea in 2010. About 3 a.m. Forden and Padelt

found out that Cuneo and Fricke Bryant landed the hydrogen balloon in an Bazyli Dawidzuik waves as the Polish team takes off had overtaken them and were on olive orchard. “The ground was a mucky After a day and night of flying, three teams a faster wind course. Forden’s gumbo, but there was no damage and no were aloft. The Polish team was north of tracking radio could pick up injury.” The risk in landing at night is 7/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 catching power lines, he says. They landed fourth time in America’s Challenge. Their The venue for the Gordon Bennett can be in a pitch-black field where there were no flight covered 1395 km (867 miles) in 54 discouraging to some pilots due to political lights, signals, electricity, or power lines. hours and 39 minutes. restraints, some hostile air spaces, large “From above, the open field appeared Forden would like to take part in the water expanses, and the Alps, all of which dotted by bushes. As they descended, the America’s Challenge as well as in the make for very difficult landings. bushes turned out to be 15-foot trees and Gordon Bennett Cup. “The ultimate goal of they landed between the trees. “You have my life is to fly in the Gordon Bennett,” Drop Ballast or Save Ballast? no depth perception at night. We knew we says Forden. “It’s very competitive and Ballast and gas are equivalent of fuels, and were taking a risk, but it was our luck that it people take great risks in that race, so it’s pilots try to conserve both to increase flight turned out pretty well,” he says. not for the faint of heart,” he adds. duration. Whether to drop ballast and rise, As landing is the difficult part, balloonists or save it for compelling situations, is a make sure to get enough rest to be alert for constant balance that pilots must work landing. throughout the flight. Cuneo says that there The Polish team, Zapart and Dawidziuk, is a learning curve on that one because the set their balloon down near Smiley, Texas, atmospheric flow is not always level east of San Antonio Texas. They flew 672 (horizontal). “The question to ask—is the miles (1,082 km) and were aloft for 37 balloon riding a falling air current? In that hours and 22 minutes and were placed case, the balloon will level out with the second in the race. Due to a technical current and you should save the ballast to glitch, their landing was not reported on ensure a longer flight. If the balloon the Command Center’s tracking website, becomes heavy and falls through the layers leaving Cuneo and Fricke to figure out the of the air current it was in, then you have to maximum distance that would have been throw some ballast to make it rise.” In possible for their competitors to cover on addition, balloonists must also consider other factors like the terrain, the time of their track toward Texas. When for six hours, the Polish team’s distance remained day, the size of the cloud cover, air the same on the website, Cuneo and Fricke Peter Cuneo and Barbara Fricke won the temperature, and altitude above ground to were certain that the Polish team had race for the fourth time. Photo courtesy determine if they must save or drop ballast landed. Kim Vesely, America’s Challenge to rise.

After flying for three nights and two days, Once in the Gordon Bennett, Cuneo and The Issue of Hydrogen and Helium in several factors contributed to Cuneo and Fricke were adrift for 24 hours over the Gas Ballooning North Sea. During the flight, I was not Fricke’s decision to land on Sunday at 6:45 The America’s Challenge is also a scared,” says Cuneo, “but in retrospect, it a.m. (local time) near Monroe City, qualifying event for the first three American does seem frightening.” “Once you make Missouri. “Late in the day the weather was teams to compete in the Gordon Bennet your decision to fly over water you cannot going to get worse on the east side of Cup. “But America’s Challenge is do much about it but ride the wind, do your Mississippi and we were also headed struggling as a competition,” says Bryant. best job, and make the most of it,” says toward St. Louis airspace which is very “There are barely enough balloons to keep Cuneo. “We also carry survival suits and busy. We knew that they would not be the competition going and that speaks to the emergency locator transponders,” he adds. happy to have a balloon in their airspace. state of gas ballooning in America.” He “If you decide to ditch, you can do in the Also, we were tired, and thought, the earlier believes Americans are hampered by a legal balloon in a controlled way, and you can we land, it would be better to head back to system which makes it very difficult for also wait for rescue vehicles to arrive and Albuquerque,” said Cuneo. pilots to obtain hydrogen gas for the ditch close to them.” Cuneo and Fricke emerged winners for the balloons. “The first thing they say is: what 8/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 about the Hindenburg disaster? Well that While hydrogen has long been the gas of According to Bryant, several organizations was in 1937, and now we know a lot about choice in Europe as a lifting agent for as well as individuals are working toward the safe handling of products than we did balloons, in America, until the recent past, that goal. then. Usually, they do not have a point, but the non-reactive and stable helium gas was One of these organizations is the North the attitude persists and makes it difficult preferred to the flammable hydrogen. Carolina Aero Club of America, which has for gas ballooning in America.” He points However, helium has become scarce and a small gas balloon shared and co-owned by out that in Europe they have pipelines expensive and advances in safe technology club members. “This balloon, built by Bert everywhere, and pilots just turn on the has made hydrogen a better practical Padelt, is used for shorter “day” flights on spigot, fill their balloons with hydrogen for alternative. Kim Vesely says, helium is the east coast, and because the balloon is a few hundred dollars and fly. “In America, many times more expensive than hydrogen. small, it’s less expensive to operate. The you have to compress the gas, put it into a “It cost $500 to fill a balloon with hydrogen hope is that this will help reduce the cost truck with a union driver, who waits till all but a minimum of $6000 and sometimes up enough to encourage pilots to get involved your balloons are inflated, charges late fees, to $12,000 to fill with helium. Now we have in gas ballooning,” says Vesely. and it cost four times more. It removes the better procedures to handle hydrogen incentive to go and have a fun flight.” safely, so you will be seeing more hydrogen balloons in the ,” says Vesely. Cuneo and Fricke have flown in helium balloons for many years but they feel comfortable flying hydrogen balloons, too. “The hydrogen balloon has a conductive fabric so there is less chance of static charge building upon it,” says Cuneo.

For America’s Challenge to gain momentum and for more Gordon Bennett Kim Vesely, spokesperson for America’s races to be held in the Challenge has covered many record- United States, breaking ballooning adventures. hydrogen, the fuel for Noah Forden got his gas balloon rating gas balloons, must be through this group, making him a qualified affordable and gas balloon pilot to compete in America’s accessible—as it is in Challenge. Europe where companies even offer few hours of joy rides Grounded trucks dispense hydrogen to inflate balloons. Photo to paying passengers. courtesy Kim Vesely, America’s Challenge

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Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017

2) NASA Launches Giant Scientific Balloons in Antarctica travel to Earth and interact with the Antarctica ice. This study by the University by Sitara Maruf, 2nd Dec. 2016 of Hawaii at Manoa uses instruments from the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) payload.

The third flight, scheduled for mid- December will enable scientists to better understand the life cycle of the interstellar medium, which is the matter that fills the space between stars in the galaxy. It uses the Stratospheric Terahertz Observatory (STO-II) from the University of Arizona.

The balloons are being launched from NASA launched its large zero-pressure Three such unmanned balloon flights make Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf near McMurdo balloon on November 28 with instruments up Antarctica’s Scientific Balloon Station. Once airborne, each mission will and payload that will observe cosmic rays Campaign this year. float at a near constant altitude about 24 and chemicals and atoms that make up the miles (39 kilometers, 128,000 feet) up in interstellar space between stars. The Another zero-pressure balloon launched on the atmosphere on a westward trajectory balloon—as large as a football stadium and December 2 will help scientists study the around the continent. Each 40 million cubic feet in volume when fully reactions in the core of stars and as they around the South Pole inflated—carries the Boron And Carbon explode via the release of neutrinos that Cosmic rays in the Upper Stratosphere (BACCUS) payload. This study is by the University of Maryland’s BACCUS mission.

The Boron And Carbon Cosmic rays in the Upper Stratosphere (BACCUS) payload takes flight Nov. 28. NASA Associate Administrator Dava Newman (center) meets with ANITA payload team Credit: NASA on Nov. 29 at the NASA scientific balloon facilities in Antarctica. Credit: NASA 10/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 takes approximately two weeks but may days or weeks for longer-term exposures scientific balloon program. The CSBF team vary depending on time of the year and and data collection. has launched more than 1,700 scientific altitude. On average, a NASA Antarctic balloons in 35 years of operation. mission can achieve around 20 days of NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia balloon flight. manages the agency’s scientific balloon Anyone may track the progress of NASA’s flight program with 10 to 15 flights each Antarctica scientific balloon flights via The payloads and instruments are solar- year from launch sites worldwide. Orbital online tools that provide altitude and speed powered, making this time of year an ideal ATK, which operates NASA’s Columbia as well as a map showing the balloon’s real- time for balloon flights since the region Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF), time location, at: experiences sunlight 24-hours a day during provides mission planning, engineering https://www.csbf.nasa.gov/antarctica/ice.ht the Antarctic summer. In addition, a services and field operations for NASA’s m weather phenomenon during the Antarctic 3) Solar Ship Challenges Lockheed Martin to a Race Across summer known as an anticyclone takes the balloon on a circular flight trajectory, Northern Canada and Africa keeping the balloon over the Antarctic land by Sitara Maruf, 9th Dec. 2016 mass over extended periods of time. Keeping the balloon over land helps enable recovery of the payload after the mission.

“Weather conditions and the readiness of our science teams all aligned to allow us to kick-off our Antarctica campaign earlier than in previous years,” said Gabe Garde, NASA mission manager. “We had a smooth operation today with BACCUS, thanks in large part to the support from our friends in the National Science Foundation’s United States Antarctic Program.”

The University of Maryland’s BACCUS mission complements another investigation by the university known as the Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass experiment, which has flown previously on NASA balloons and is slated to launch to the International Space Earlier this week, Solar Ship announced it sector. Station. is challenging Lockheed Martin to a race between its solar powered Wolverine NASA’s scientific balloons offer low-cost, aircraft and Lockheed Martin’s hybrid near-space access for suspended loads . weighing up to 8,000 pounds to conduct technology demonstration tests as well as The purpose of the challenge is to promote scientific investigations in fields such as the benefits of hybrid aircraft which use astrophysics, heliophysics, and atmospheric two forms of lift: buoyancy like an airship research. Depending on the goals and and dynamic lift like an airplane. Lockheed Martin is the largest player in this space, objectives of a specific mission, balloon Lockheed Martin’s Hybrid Airship; flight durations can run hours to multiple while Solar Ship is a well-known leader in developing solar powered vehicles in this Credit: Lockheed Martin 11/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017

Both companies have been raising ABOUT LOCKHEED MARTIN integration and sustainment of advanced awareness about the benefits of connecting technology systems, products and services. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, regions such as Canada’s north and Africa. In 2006, Lockheed Martin launched its P- Lockheed Martin is a global security and A friendly race is being proposed to 791, a hybrid airship, which demonstrated aerospace company that employs demonstrate what this technology can do to the potential benefits of combining approximately 98,000 people worldwide overcome the barriers of moving cargo to aerodynamic craft and the lifting capacity and is principally engaged in the research, and from remote areas. of buoyant craft. design, development, manufacture,

4) Pilot of Deadliest Balloon Crash in US History Knew About Bad Weather; Eight Prescription Drugs Found in System by Sitara Maruf, 11th Dec. 2016

Solar Ship; Credit Solar Ship

Solar Ship’s proposed challenge has two legs. The first flies for 3500 km from Johannesburg to Kampala along what is being called the Peace & Freedom Route seeking to promote long-term peace in the Great Lakes Region of Africa – one of the most expensive transport routes in the world. The second leg flies 22,000 km from Lockheed’s training facility in Palmdale, CA north to the Arctic and south across Africa. Washington, DC – The pilot of the hot air high-voltage power lines and burst into ABOUT SOLAR SHIP balloon that crashed in Lockhart, Texas, on flames, killing all 16 people aboard. Solar Ship is a Canadian company with 50 July 30, had taken several prescription “This process will assist the NTSB in employees located in Toronto, Ontario. It drugs that would slow reflexes and impair determining the probable cause of the develops hybrid aircraft to service cut-off judgment, said experts who testified at the accident and in issuing recommendations to places. The aircraft uses two forms of lift: National Transportation Safety Board prevent similar accidents in the future,” static lift, generated by buoyant gas, hearing on Friday, December 9. said Robert Sumwalt, of the National combined with the aerodynamic lift of a At the investigative hearing, officials Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and wing. This creates the capacity to fly large examined the circumstances of the accident chairman of the board of inquiry for the loads over long distances without the use of and safety issues in commercial hot air crash. fossil fuels. It has extremely short takeoff ballooning. They also reviewed pilot Alfred and landing capabilities, making Solar Ship “Skip” Nichols’ decision to fly when the “The pilot had a record of multiple ideally suited for accessing remote areas. In cloud cover was at 700 feet and the forecast medical and psychiatric conditions as 2014, Solar Ship demonstrated its ability to showed no chances of the sky clearing. well as multiple prescription take off and land from a soccer field medications, which were detected in powered by 100% solar electric. While attempting to land, his balloon hit 12/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 toxicology,” said Hearing Officer Bill Six hot air balloon pilots at the hearing gets larger, there is going to be a slower English. testified that they would not have flown in response time.” those conditions. Dr. Philip Kemp, a toxicologist, explained that Diazepam (Valium) and Oxycodone, Scott Appelman, owner of Rainbow found in Nichols’ system were at regular Ryders, the largest hot air balloon company dosage levels, however, both can in the United States said that going in and significantly depress central nervous out of the clouds is not an option. “It’s not system that would “inhibit decision- a comfortable feeling as a pilot being up making, cause drowsiness, and interfere there and being faced with that type of with the ability to operate a motor vehicle choice.” or aircraft.” Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector James Malecha also said that it was not safe or prudent.

“Definitely, not a safe practice,” said Andy Baird, general manager of Cameron Balloons.

Baird also said that pilots must stay away Nichols’ balloon from power lines and choose other less (Source: handout) risky options, even if it means damage to aircraft or some injury, but still those are far One investigator asked whether pilots feel

better options than contacting powerlines. pressured to not cancel a flight, especially if Skip Nichols passengers have experienced cancellations (Source: Facebook-Skip Nichols) In Missouri, Nichols had been convicted on before. Pilots replied that safety is always a three charges of driving while intoxicated, priority and half the times they have to On the day of the scheduled flight, at 5:06 one excessive blood alcohol charge, and cancel due to bad weather. a.m., Nichols got the weather report, which one felony drug distribution charge. In indicated clouds at 1,200 feet above the Texas, his driver’s license was suspended, The NTSB has been urging the FAA for ground. According to Sumwalt, the weather and he wasn’t allowed to drive a vehicle, stricter regulations and oversight in hot air briefer had cautioned the pilot about it. yet he had his commercial balloon pilot’s ballooning; however, even two years ago, license since 1993, which allowed him to the FAA rejected the Transportation “When the pilot received a weather fly passengers. He was the owner and sole Board’s recommendations, despite a briefing, the weather briefer said, pilot of the balloon, which could fly more warning about the potential for a high ‘Yeah, those clouds may be a problem passengers on one ride than the number number of fatalities in a single air tour for you… don’t know how long you plan flown on a small commuter plane. The FAA accident. to stay, but…’ and then the pilot had investigated Nichols in 2013 when the It will take months for the NTSB to finalize replied, ‘Well, we just fly in between agency was alerted to his drunk driving its report, but whether this watershed event them. We find a hole and we go.’” history. in ballooning will prompt the FAA to When the balloon took off around 6:59 A balloon with a 16-passenger capacity is enforce better safety regulations and a.m., the cloud cover dropped to just 700 one of the largest recreational balloons, and oversight remains to be seen. feet. A passenger’s photograph taken before the FAA has no specific requirements for its “We can’t turn back the hands of time and the accident showed that the balloon was operation. One challenge in flying it, prevent what happened that tragic Saturday flying above a layer of clouds, and according to an expert is that “as the balloon obstructed part of the view of the ground. 13/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 morning, in Lockhart, Texas,” Sumwalt said. “But our commitment at the NTSB is to learn from this accident so that we can keep it from happening again.” Parties to the hearing included representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Balloon Federation of America, and Kubicek Balloons that manufactured Nichols’ balloon.

Medications in Nichols’ system at the time of crash. Source: Central Texas Autopsy report for Alfred Guilispie Nichols, IV Diazepam 130 ng/mL

Nordiazepam 180 ng/mL NTSB Hearing (L to R) Dr. Mary Pat McKay, Robert Sumwalt, and Dave Bowling Bupropion 62 ng/mL Hydroxybupropion 340 ng/mL 5) Balloon Museum Celebrates High-Flying Pioneers Diphenhydramine 65 ng/mL by Sitara Maruf, 18th Dec. 2016 Cyclobenzaprine 20 ng/mL Oxycodone 8/1 ng/mL Methylphenidate 5.0 ng/mL Ritalinic Acid 180 ng/mL

These requirements mandatory for plane pilots are not needed for balloon pilots

1. Letter of Authorization This gives FAA better oversight as it come from the local FAA office—it describes operational limitations and ensures periodic surveillance check

2.Medical Certificate Looks at history of drug and alcohol abuse Who were the first test pilots in aviation? A “flying machine”—as the builders and psychological disorders sheep, a duck, and a rooster. On September described it— is on display at the 19, 1783, the animals took off in a balloon Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque built by the Montgolfier brothers. The International Balloon Museum (AAAIBM). aircraft floated to 1,700 feet and, after an 3.Drug and alcohol testing eight-minute journey, landed in the trees. And although the Montgolfier brothers Random tests for those who fly passengers Their flight proved that living beings could invented the hot air balloon in June 1783, a brilliant scientist named Pilâtre de Rozière breathe above the ground and paved the way for human aviation. A model of their and the nobleman Marquis d’Arlandes were 14/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 the first humans to take a catastrophic risk honoring the high-flying pioneers in Jill Lane, director of the museum’s and fly in a crude hot air balloon with a lighter-than-air aviation. foundation, says it took over 20 years for blazing open fire to heat the air inside the the museum to develop into a reality and the Even the name of the museum is a tribute to balloon. You will find an exhibit of their initiative was taken by ’s Maxie Anderson and , famous balloon Le Réveillon, made by the family. After several record-breaking feats, Albuquerque’s two ballooning pioneers Montgolfier brothers. Anderson died in a ballooning accident in who set many world records. In August 1983. “The family felt like it needed to keep 1978, Anderson, Abruzzo, and Larry his legacy of his pioneering feats in Newman (also from Albuquerque) became ballooning. They had a significant the first aeronauts to achieve the crossing of collection of his balloon-related things that the Atlantic Ocean by balloon. Their they did not know where and how to torturous journey of 3,100 miles from showcase them. And, Albuquerque is the Maine, USA to Paris, France, lasted about ballooning capital of the world, so they six days. This was Anderson and Abruzzo’s started working on the idea of a balloon second attempt despite their near-death museum in Albuquerque.” experience of the Atlantic crossing only a year before. Neither their own previous Their Double Eagle II gondola used during ordeal nor the fact that several balloonists the successful Atlantic crossing is on had failed and five had perished, deterred display at the Smithsonian’s National Air them from taking on the challenge again. and Space Museum and the Albuquerque

balloon museum which opened on October 1, 2005, twenty- seven years after the Atlantic crossing, has its life-size replica. Dr. Marilee Schmit Nason, curator of collections said that she tried to get it on loan from the Smithsonian and they declined.

“But ours has a cutaway, and Model of the first flyers’ (animals) aircraft you can walk into it and sit in it at AAAIBM. (Credit: Balloon Journal) and feel what is was like to be The world-class Balloon Museum has one of those three people in that many such models, exhibits, and artifacts space for all of those days going representing the first balloon flights in 1783 across the Atlantic Ocean,” says to the balloon races and latest feats of the Nason. current century. The museum has 15,000 Located in the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta catalogued pieces and, Nason Park and overlooking the balloon launch says, she is still processing the field, the museum is a 61,000-square-foot collection. “The museum Photo at the Kitty Hawk exhibit at AAAIBM. Patty high-bay building with a tensile fabric roof collection comes from two Anderson welcomes Maxie (L) and Kris Anderson (R) and a balloon-like feel. It is dedicated to the sources — the Anderson after their transcontinental balloon flight from San history, science, and art of ballooning and Foundation that had artifacts Francisco to Quebec, Canada in May 1980 15/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 related to Maxie Anderson’s epic balloon flights which is recent, and ballooning memorabilia, historical in nature, collected by balloonists and collectors Jacques Soukup, (and Kirk Thomas), which were housed in the South Dakota Museum that closed,” explained Nason, adding that the two collections complement each other and gives the museum a time depth.

On August 8, 1924, the Shenandoah became the first rigid airship to be moored to a floating mast.(Courtesy of Navy History and Heritage Command.)

Dr. and Brian Jones flew around the world in Breitling Orbiter 3 in March 1999

Since it opened in 2005, the museum has had nearly one million visitors from New Mexico, other parts of the country, and the world. The exhibits combine historic artifacts with modern multi-media technology to educate visitors by explaining its history, putting it in the context of the human spirit and drive, and staying on top of what is happening now in lighter-than-air technology. (LtoR)Ben Abruzzo, Rocky Aoki, Ron Clark, and -Double Eagle V pilots Paul Garver, director of the museum, says who flew from Nagashima, Japan to Covelo, California in November 1981 that for many visitors, it’s an eye-opening 16/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 experience about the uses of balloons in adventure, scientific experiments, the arts, warfare, espionage, and the exploration of space.

“When we think of the early 20th century airships, we think of the demise of the airship, but there is a lot of indication that there is a new age of airship on the horizon and I think that’s very exciting.” says Garver. “That is just one example of how ballooning and lighter-than-air technology is not just the technology of the past or sports — it is still cutting-edge and has a bright future, not just here on planet earth but in space exploration as well.”

You will be astonished to learn about the exquisite interiors, the luxuries, and other details of the early 20th century airships or Replica of Double Eagle II –the gondola that carried three aviators across the Atlantic zeppelins. These airships used hydrogen or (Credit: Balloon Journal) helium gas for lift and were propelled by gasoline engines. They were used to deliver mail, drop weapons, or to fly people and they even crossed the Atlantic in two days. The exhibit on “The Largest Flying Airships” sheds light on the era of commercial airships and how it came to an end.

Then there is the exhibit of Félix Tournachon (Nadar), a pioneer in aeronautics as well as in photography, whose combined interests led to mapping of cities. The “Advent of Aerial Photography” display enlightens the visitor about his leading efforts in ballooning and camera techniques to produce the first aerial photograph above Paris as early as 1858. Nadar’s Le Géant was the most celebrated balloon of the nineteenth century. It was 196 feet tall, had a two-story gondola, a Model of an early 20th century Zeppelin (Airship) at AAAIBM (Credit: Balloon Journal) restroom, a darkroom, and a capacity to carry 49 people. Soon after the invention of the balloon, said that he never knew about the use of military generals figured how to use balloons as weapons. The “Fugos” (balloon “Balloons in War,” and this exhibit covers bombs) exhibit is a revelation in how the their use in five wars. A museum visitor 17/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 knowledge of atmospheric science and Visitors have a look of disbelief when they In 2012, Austria’s Felix Baumgartner lighter-than-air technology was used by the reach the “World’s Highest Jumps” exhibit, jumped from 128,100 feet as part of the Red Japanese, during World War II. Thousands which shows photos of Colonel Joe Bull Stratos Project. The objective of the of balloon bombs were launched from Kittinger jumping from 102,800 feet. In research? What would happen to astronauts Japan to ride a jetstream across the Pacific 1960, he was testing a partial pressure suit or space tourists if they had to eject at Ocean and land in North America. The to be used by fighter pilots and future extremely high altitudes? Kittinger had United States and Canada kept this a top astronauts. served as Baumgartner’s advisor and the secret, (mis)leading the Japanese to believe that their balloon operation had failed; as a result, the Japanese abandoned the operation.

“Ballooning covers every subject you can imagine. We have coins, tokens, and postage stamps from all over the world that depict different historic flights, even from countries that I’d never heard of. One can learn about the history, language, and culture through ballooning,” says Nason.

The era of balloon science was launched on the day the first balloon took off and continues to this day. In science and space research, the advantage of using balloons is that they can rise to the edge of space, unlike fixed-wing aircraft which need some air to provide lift and support engines.

A lot of the science and space research involving balloons also needed daring humans to fly to the edge of space, test instruments, and experience the effects of the dangerous near-space environment on human physiology. Some even lost their lives in their effort to contribute to our knowledge of space travel, astronomy, astrophysics, and human physiology at high altitudes.

The exhibit on ‘Flying Higher-Into the Stratosphere” depicts the courage of the intrepid aeronauts who rose to the stratosphere and jumped from that altitude as participants in experimental projects carried by the U.S. Office of Naval Research from 1956-1961. Photo at AAAIBM exhibit. Colonel Joe Kittinger jumped from 102,800 feet to test a partial pressure suit in 1960 18/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 museum also plays a film about such “Even though it’s open we still have many also focus on seasons, topography, pressure incredible statistics. things to do on the technical and content systems, and atmospheric levels.

development side,” says Garver. “The Balloon Museum is also the official Audiences’ viewing experience may home of the Ballooning Commission’s Hall include vibrating seats, bursts of air, flashes of Fame which recognizes those who have of lightning, and even snow showers along made significant contribution to with many other effects. “The videos we’ll aerostation. Each year one living and one show are flight, science, and nature-related, posthumous inductee are elected,” said which will provide content that reflects and Lane. This year, New Mexican aeronaut expands upon our exhibitions and and prolific record-setter Troy Bradley was programs. Like our first 3-D offering, inducted into the Hall of Fame. In 2015, ‘Aerobatic Challenge,’ some will be Bradley flew across the Pacific Ocean from whimsical so you can just have fun. It’s an Japan to Mexico with Russian pilot Leonid exciting and unique addition to the Tiukthtyaev in a helium balloon and set a museum,” says Garver. distance record of 6,656 miles and duration record 160.6 hours. “For the flight, the A dramatic and often misunderstood story museum served as their Command Center in ballooning is about S.A. Andrée’s daring Museum Director Paul Garver (Credit: for seven days continuously,” said Nason. attempt to reach the North Pole by balloon. Balloon Journal) Bradley’s original capsule Two Eagles is on A 2000-square-foot new exhibition Arctic display at the museum. Air: The Bold Flight of S.A. Andrée “Our goal is to concentrate on themes such chronicles the unprecedented attempt in as exploration, discovery, achievement and For fans of experiential film viewing, the 1897. It gives an insight into the expedition inspire those in people who interact with Tim Anderson 4-D Theater, which opened that was well equipped and supported by our content. Ballooning and lighter-than-air in September 2016, screens short 2-D and that period’s innovative and state-of-the-art technology symbolizes a lot of that 4-D films. technology. “We tried to put it in the directly,” says Garver. context of the overall human drive to explore, to discover, and to achieve; the story of Andrée and his expedition is fascinating, but there are also some lessons in there about why we are driven to do that,” says Garver.

Andrée’s balloon named Örnen (Eagle), also had a combination of balloon steering systems – sails and guide ropes that were intended to influence their direction and altitude.

In 2017, visitors will be able to learn from and enjoy a new exhibition The Weather Lab. This enclosed and permanent exhibit promises to be an immersive and interactive

learning experience on various topics — the Curator of Collections Dr. Marilee Schmit sun, wind, clouds, storms, and the Executive Director of AAIBM Foundation, Nason (Credit: Balloon Journal) Albuquerque “Box.” The exhibition will Jill Lane (Credit: Balloon Journal) 19/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017

According to museum officials, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta—one of the most popular events—held in October has led many people to believe that the balloon museum is open only during the nine days of the balloon festival. “The balloon museum is open for the entire year,” says Lane. “Yes, during Fiesta, we have many more visitors as the festival draws nearly one million people. But the nice thing is Albuquerque’s weather allows flying for most part of the year and many balloon ride companies offer rides throughout the year.”

When the weather is ideal for flying, it is hard to miss the hot air balloons in the Albuquerque skies; some can be spotted around Fiesta Park and the Balloon Museum. Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum Front In few weeks, we will run a feature on the museum’s Entrance (Credit: AAAIBM Staff) educational programs and community activities.

6) Arctic Air: Andrée’s Balloon Flight to North Pole | New Source: City of Albuquerque Exhibition at Balloon Museum ALBUQUERQUE, NM – When the bold by Sitara Maruf, 20th Dec. 2016 balloon flight of S.A. Andrée began on July 11, 1897, no one had yet reached the North Pole. There had been other attempts, all unsuccessful, but this expedition intended to fly there by balloon from Danes Island, an icy outpost at nearly the top of the world.

This dramatic and often misunderstood story is the subject of the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum’s newly opened special exhibition, Arctic Air: The Bold Flight of S.A. Andrée.

His balloon, which was named Örnen (Eagle), and the expedition as a whole was well equipped and supported by technology that was innovative or state-of-the-art for the time. Andrée had also designed, tested, and installed a combination of balloon steering systems – sails and guide ropes – that were intended to influence their direction and altitude.

“Arctic Air explores the history and This gallery of Arctic Air depicts the expedition’s camp. It also shows the multi-media technology of the expedition,” said design of the exhibition. (Credit: AAAIBM Staff) 20/29

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Marilee Nason, Balloon Museum Curator, “and it delves into who these explorers were, their experiences in the Arctic, the people in their lives at home and the motivation for such a journey.”

Journals of the three crew members, as well as photographs taken on the journey, tell a detailed story, one that the Balloon Museum presents in an immersive display.

The façade of the exhibition is a replica of the prefabricated balloon house, or hangar, that Andrée transported from Sweden and assembled on Danes Island in 1896. An interior portion of the replica balloon house forms one of the exhibition’s galleries. Another is designed to look like a late-19th Century parlor, while the third simulates an Arctic camp used by Andrée and the two men who joined him on the flight, Nils Inside Arctic Air’s replica balloon house at the Balloon Museum.(Credit: AAAIBM Staff) Strindberg and Knut Fraenkel. 7) Experts See Red Flags in Amazon’s Patent for Floating The high-tech exhibition, designed and installed by Sightworks, LLC, has a multi- Warehouses media design. It includes interactive by Keith Loria, 10th Jan. 2017 touchscreens, videos, photographs, text panels, artifacts, newspapers and replica items central to the story such as a polar bear.

Since it opened in 2005, the Museum has welcomed nearly one million visitors from Albuquerque and many other communities in New Mexico, as well as from across the country and around the world. Through its extensive collection of artifacts, interactive special exhibitions and engaging educational programs, the Museum is a gateway to science, exploration and discovery. The Museum is open year-round and hosts many community-oriented special events, features unique art and architecture, and offers distinctive rental Amazon is known for creating ambitious solar farms—and now the company is spaces for meetings, weddings, receptions and industry-changing ideas—just consider looking to take a concept to new heights, and other celebrations. the Kindle, Amazon Go, and its wind and literally. 21/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017

A patent filed by Amazon Technologies, Inc., in 2014, for an “airborne fulfillment center”—a warehouse suspended beneath a giant blimp at 45,000 feet—utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones for item delivery—was approved last December.

The company has already been experimenting with drones as part of its Amazon Prime Air program, which will deliver packages up to five pounds to customers in 30 minutes or less using drones. This delivery method is being tested in-house and the first delivery was made on December 7 in the UK.

But since powering up drones from the ground requires lots of energy, Amazon is hoping to store the products in huge floating airship warehouses, which would hold and launch a network of drones to float items Few technical and legal questions to be solved for Amazon’s patent to become a reality down to customers.

The patent request provides an example: a user may browse an e-commerce website and place an order for an item that is in the inventory of the AFC. Upon placing the order for the item, fulfillment instructions may be sent to the AFC and a UAV within the AFC may engage the item for delivery to the user. When the UAV departs the AFC, it may descend from the high altitude of the AFC using little or no power other than to guide the UAV towards its delivery destination and/or to stabilize the UAV as it descends.

Another paragraph of the patent description reads: “The use of an AFC and shuttles also provides another benefit in that the AFC can remain airborne for extended periods of time. In addition, because the AFC is airborne, it is not limited to a fixed location like a traditional ground based materials The proposed system of floating airship with a warehouse, shuttles, and drones that will handling facility. In contrast, it can navigate deliver to your door to different areas depending on a variety of 22/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 factors, such as weather, expected demand, coming back, so that would certainly The FAA does however permit drones for and/or actual demand.” extend the range of the drones,” he says. the transportation of material for “[And though] small drones make a lot of compensation or hire, provided the operator Dr. Barry E. Prentice, professor of Supply sense, the issue with that technology is how complies with all the provisions of the rule, Chain Management, at the I.H. Asper you dispatch them around households, including that the operator must keep the School of Business, University of Manitoba especially when you’re maneuvering UAV within his/her sight, the flight is and the former director of the Transport around streets and over houses will present conducted within visual line-of-sight and Institute, notes that the way Amazon’s plan some legal issues.” not from a moving vehicle, external loads was presented has red flags for anyone must be securely attached and cannot familiar with the technology. Another aircraft expert, who preferred not adversely affect the flight characteristics or to be identified, was even more skeptical controllability of the aircraft, and the “They are talking about putting something about the idea and thinks it’s more of a up at 45,000 feet, which is understandable aircraft with payload must weigh less than publicity stunt by the company. He feels 55 lbs. at takeoff. because you’re not involved with any other that while the idea seems somewhat aircraft flying at that height, and second is practical on paper, that the Federal Aviation Still, Amazon’s delivery method is more you don’t have a lot of wind and you can Administration’s (FAA) regulatory ambitious than the FAA rules, and most look down and see a lot of area for the guidelines concerning drones would be too aviation experts agree that the regulatory drones, so those would be the good things,” much of a hindrance for it to feasibly work. requirements to get something like this Dr. Prentice tells the Balloon Journal. “The done would be restricting. downside is that at 45,000 feet there is not a lot of atmosphere and since the airship by 8) Voliris Plans to Bring Airships to the Desert definition gets its lift by displacing the by Keith Loria, 7th Feb. 2017 weight of the air it replaces, you have to have a very big airship to lift anything at that height.”

Dr. Prentice says that Amazon would need a “monstrous” device to do that and doesn’t feel that the materials available today would allow it to be up there safe and secure. He also feels that the aircraft that are proposed to resupply the “warehouse” will have some difficulty carrying any large weights at that altitude.

Another challenge is once the drones and supplies leave the aircraft, the aircraft will become lighter and there needs to be a way to deal with that increased buoyancy, and France-based Voliris has been In doing so, the company landed in the that might require using hydrogen gas— experimenting with airships since 2001, Guinness Book of World Records for although that’s not a proven method as of and in 2008, the company began an R&D creating the smallest airship in the world. yet. program to develop hybrid airships. After numerous prototypes and attempts, the Thanks to the success of this smaller “I do like the idea that the drone taking a company achieved the proof of concept airship, which has an 80 m3 volume, now parcel down from the airship at that height with the V902RC hybrid airship, which also the company is building similar and larger is not using a lot of power to drop it down showed success with piloted test flights. airships with a 25,000 m3 volume, which and then you would have less weight could transport 40-foot containers in desert 23/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 areas.

“The airship is called NATAC for Navette Aérienne de Transport Automatique de Containers. The translation in English is Automatic Air Shuttle for the Transport of Containers,” says Arnaud Siegel, technical manager for Voliris. “The structure uses buoyancy and aerodynamic lift, and has STOL [short take-off and landing] configuration.”

The airship can fly 500 km maximum, land and dispatch the fret, then come back without refueling.

“It’s very important to insist that it’s an automatic system; it means that anybody Voliris’s smallest airship V902RC. Guinness World Record can have the control on the flight, or the Photo credit: Voliris control of the airship,” Siegel says. “Whereas for classis UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), there is a pilot on the ground who can pilot the UAV. For security issue, we do not want that a person can change the mission.”

For the maximum distance (500 km), the average flight time is five hours (range 500 km and speed more than 100 km per hour).

Helium gas, which is lighter than air, lifts most of the structure (envelope, tail, metal structure, landing gear, etc.) and the aerodynamic mechanism lifts the payload (container) and fuel, says Siegel. Kerosene is also a unique fuel that’s involved.

“It’s steered exactly like a plane, with pitch, Voliris’s larger airship, NATAC, for automatic transport of containers. bend and roll–thanks to the horizontal and Photo Credit: Voliris vertical tailfins,” he says. “It uses two It can fly at an altitude of 3,000 meters and fasten on its mast at 80 knots (150km/h), Turboprop 5000 hp (for propulsion), like a can attain a speed of 150 km/h. It’s not like and while flying, it depends on the mission, regional aircraft.” a helicopter. It doesn’t have VTOL (vertical but it can take off and land with 30 knots take-off and landing), as it takes off in an (55kmh). However, the company plans not The airship requires two people to control 800-meter unprepared airstrip. It can land to fly in rain or severe winds. the operating system on the ground for take on any surface that isn’t water. off and landing but there is no pilot (or “It could resist on the ground to severe passengers). As for wind speed, on the ground it can conditions,” he says. “We do not need a 24/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017

hangar to protect it. We have a mast. Besides, we assemble and disassemble the airship in the place of the mission.”

The cost of the airship program is 300 million euros, and one NATAC costs about 10 million euros.

Desert areas on our planet stretch for 45 million square kilometers, so Voliris sees a lot of practical applications for its airship and the company expects to sell close to 2,000 units over the next 20 years, with the main target being north of Africa, North America and Russia.

“The container is carried between the rigid Voliris’s larger airship, NATAC, for automatic transportation of containers. structure and it can lift 30.4 tons and a 40- Photo Credit: Voliris. foot container,” Siegel says. “It can be utilized in any desert area where these is no 9) A Recreational Flight to Space in a Modern Balloon? infrastructure.” by Sitara Maruf, 18th Feb. 2017 Currently, there are no rules and regulations in place for this sort of aircraft, and the company has no plans to certify it as of yet. Siegel notes there are no regulatory requirements because such aircrafts don’t exist, so the company will need to build them and test them and write all the regulatory requirements.

“We just need the authorization of the government in place,” Siegel says. “We want to manufacture all the parts of the airship in France. We put everything into ten containers to deliver the airship. We assemble the airship on site, use it for the mission with the authorization of the government, and disassemble the airship, putting all the parts in containers to send Ready for the thrill and challenge of a blue Earth suspended in the universe, and them to another mission.” journey to the edge of space? All you need sunrise in real-time! is $75,000 to reserve a seat and a mindset to World View Enterprises, based in Tucson, Youtube video: Flight of the smallest float up to 100,000 feet under a balloon and Arizona, is working on this passenger airship. enjoy the spectacular views. Among other spaceflight project. According to company magnificent panoramas, these vistas officials, the journey will not be physically include the blackness of space, the starscape above, the curvature of the tiny grueling as experienced by rocket flying 25/29

Issue No. 5 Winter 2017 Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 astronauts; in fact, as you gently ascend the “air” is in the troposphere and has reached its “stratospheric” ceiling, layers of the atmosphere, you will also be you will sail there for a couple of hours. World View promises that the balloon will able to enjoy a drink and share your (high) not fly off into space. For your peace of status in real-time with earthlings below. Depending on who or how you are–you mind, it may help to remind yourself that have nothing or many things to do—gaze The company plans to use high-altitude ice does not fly out of a glass of water. Once out of the large windows at the real helium balloons to offer a unique the balloon has expanded to its safe limit breathtaking panorama, or stare at its other spaceflight experience. So far, only 558 people—mostly astronauts and a handful of aeronauts who rose in balloons to test equipment—have seen the planet from this vantage point. World View’s modernized balloon vehicle is called Voyager, and the company is in the process of fine-tuning its technology as it aims for its first passenger flight in 2018.

World View CEO Jane Poynter says, “Travelers can expect a comfortable and gentle five-hour flight situated inside of an eight-person pressurized spacecraft complete with a mini-bar, WiFi, lavatory, and massive windows for gazing at the majesty of the planet below.” Poynter is hopeful that private citizens will engage in this transformative experience that Ascending through the lower atmosphere. Photo Credit: World View astronauts call the “Overview Effect.” The technology used for the project will be as modern as possible in order to make the experience more enjoyable, including Tesla batteries, 3D printing, electronics and more.

What can you expect from your flight experience? When you arrive at the launch site, (perhaps after one or more security checks) your vehicle will be in its launch cradle, but first the crew will inflate the high-tech balloon with helium and rigorously check out everything for a safe lift off, float, and return! Seated in the luxurious capsule, you will gently rise for almost two hours to hover over 100,000 feet, atop 99 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere. Actually, you will be in the stratosphere, which is above the troposphere. Most of the weather and our Views from the voyager capsule. Photo credit: World View

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commercial communities. “We recently introduced an un-crewed vehicle called a ‘Stratollite,’ which essentially operates like a geo-stationary satellite in the stratosphere, but at orders of magnitude less costly than comparable platforms,” says MacCallum.

The Stratollite is a flight system that allows for unmanned high-altitude balloons to perform a series of tasks at a low price, including the ability to circumnavigate the Earth. The balloon can stay in flight in a specific area for weeks or even months. The capsule’s large dual-pane glass windows to peer at the vast cosmos. Photo Credit: World View Some of the features that World View offers tiny versions on your tablet, reach out to crew will ensure your safe return to the with the Stratollites include a payload family and friends and let them know how launch site, and hopefully your loved ones capacity of up to 4,500 kg (9,920.802 lbs), much you miss them and how the “effect” will take you from there. a high-altitude capability of up to 46 km will make you a changed person for the (28.58 mi), flights of both long and short better or worse, or carry out your research Part of the reason World View embarked on durations, as well as rapid deployment. experiment—without being disruptive to the stratospheric balloon project is because Stratollites could help in many ways, other voyagers. It may help to know that a consumer surveys showed that people are including disaster recovery and first lot of groundbreaking research has been afraid to fly in rockets, as they seem response, communications, weather done and needs to be done at high altitude. intimidating, dangerous, and cause physical forecasting, and surveillance aid for U.S. discomfort, including motion sickness. troops. Depending on the winds and its many And for all their trouble, passengers would directions, you may experience an omni- Having flown 50 Stratollites, World View directional flight, but launch directors will have to zoom past the best scenic part of the regularly flies commercial payloads to the make sure that the weather is favorable journey, from Earth to outer space, in just edge of space for a wide variety of enough to keep you within 0 to 150 miles of four minutes! In comparison, a gentle government, commercial, and education wind speeds and within a 300-mile radius of balloon flight, with no turbulence and no G- customers. Its clients include the the launch site. forces, is a luxurious space-tourism Department of Defense, NASA, and experience, which have already brought in companies from the meteorological and Now, it’s time to return. You are blessed dozens of high-flying enthusiasts who have communication sectors. with an extraordinary pilot–possibly an reserved their seats. astronaut. The pilot releases some of the It is an exciting time in lighter-than-air helium from the balloon to start its gentle The company has raised capital for three aviation, thanks to companies such as descent. Remote control technology is also years to build the flight technology, and World View, which are combining modern involved, so no need to worry. Around they got a step closer to achieving this technology, business, and a unique travel 50,000 feet, the balloon is detached from purpose when they closed a Series B round experience that will leave its participants in the ParaWing and the capsule. The of $15 million offered by Canaan Partners awe of this planet’s and the universe’s ParaWing glides the capsule to a last April. natural beauty. predetermined spot on Earth, and you will World View’s CTO Taber MacCallum have a soft landing. notes that the high-altitude balloon will While you remain hypnotized by your five provide a new and affordable way to access to six-hour flight experience, the ground near-space for the scientific, research, and 27/29

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Voyager-Different stages in flight. Photo Credit: World View

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