Kestrel balloon launch system

Conference · Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:10169788

Newman, M J

Kestrel is a high-altitude, Helium-gas-filled-balloon system used to launch scientific payloads in winds up to 20 knots, from small platforms or ships, anywhere over land or water, with a minimal crew and be able to hold in standby conditions. Its major components consist of two balloons (a tow balloon and a main balloon), the main deployment system, helium measurement system, a parachute recovery unit, and the scientific payload package. The main scope of the launch system was to eliminate the problems of being dependent of launching on long airfield runways, low wind conditions, and long launch preparation time. These objectives were clearly met with Kestrel 3.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 10169788
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JC-108591; CONF-9110499-1; ON: DE93016421; TRN: AHC29303%%26
• Resource Relation: Conference: Balloon systems and technology symposium and working conference,Albuquerque, NM (United States),8-10 Oct 1991; Other Information: PBD: Oct 1991
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
MILITARY EQUIPMENT
LAUNCHING
MILITARY STRATEGY
DATA ACQUISITION
TARGETS
BALLOONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
HELIUM
PARACHUTES
WIND
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
LEVELS
FLIGHT TESTING
DIAGRAMS
REMOTE CONTROL
FLOWMETERS
OPTICAL EQUIPMENT
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
450000
MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE