Solar Powered Stratospheric Platform (SPSP)

Abstract

This paper extends the efforts presented in an earlier paper on the Solar Thermal Aerostat Research Station (STARS). It is characterized as a large, constant-volume (vented), solar-powered, heated air, spherical, rigid navigable and hoverable aerostat able to remain aloft at an altitude of 30 kilometers more or less sphere on its own environmentally clean solar power for indefinite residence, with life support supplies. It may be launched on its own solar power from the surface, ground or water, or preferably small helium dirigible shuttle-assembled on site in the stratosphere. Size of the STARS aerostat may vary from less than 1000 ft. to in excess of 5,000 ft. diameter - the bigger the better. Equipped with nighttime energy storage systems (e.g., solar energized water electrolysis, water vapor, etc.), it will be capable of performing, on a 24-hour basis, a wide variety of long-term scientific, commercial and strategic missions in the stratosphere such as the numerous examples previously delineated. Most, if not all, of the numerous missions may be conducted simultaneously, due to the unprecedented lift capability (at 1 mile diameter the payload capacity may be 1782 metric tons) of the proposed aerostat. With environmentally clean solar-energized compressed air and/or suppressed electricmore » discharge thrusters, it will be capable of 24 hours/day navigation and hovering in stratospheric winds to 50 miles/hour or more.« less