A Review of Balloon Concepts for Titan

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Author - R.D. Lorenz

Co-Author(s) -

JBIS Volume # - 61

Page # - 2-13

Year - 2008

Keywords - Titan, balloon, radioisotope power

JBIS Reference Code # - 2008.61.2

Number of Pages - 12

Abstract

Concepts for lighter-than-air exploration of Titan are reviewed. Logical vehicle designs with existing power sources (primary batteries, or 100 We-class radioisotope power supplies) are strongly bifurcated into small (few kg) vehicles with lifetimes of only a few hours/days, or larger (100 kg+) vehicles with lifetime of months to years. A wide range of the latter class of vehicle exists, including buoyant-gas and hot-air (Montgolfiere) concepts, with and without altitude control or propulsion. An attractive intermediate (10s of kg, but long-lived) class of buoyant gas balloon would be enabled by small (0.5-10 We) radioisotope power supplies, not presently available in the USA. The marginal feasibility of high altitude solar-powered balloons is discussed.


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