Method for Prediction and Optimization of a Stratospheric Balloon Ascent Trajectory

摘要

In this paper, we propose a methodology for the prediction and optimization of the ascent trajectory of anstratospheric balloon to target a specified three-dimensional area. The methodology relies mainly on the AnalysisnCode for High-Altitude Balloons, a simulation tool for the prediction of flight trajectory and thermal behavior ofnhigh-altitude, zero-pressure balloons, and on a statistical analysis for estimating the trajectory prediction errors.Thenpaper also describes the algorithms used for balloon parameter optimization to obtain a flight trajectory that reachesna predefined target areawithout any ballast drop or gas venting control. The proposedmethodologywas successfullynused during the first Dropped Transonic Flight Test of the Flying Test Bed 1 demonstrator accomplished onn24 February 2007 by the ItalianAerospaceResearchCenter. The reported postflight analysis of all the test campaignndemonstrates that the proposedmethodology for trajectory prediction and optimization guarantees very satisfactorynand reliable results for both the selection of the best day to perform such a mission and the definition of the correctnballoon parameters to be used for targeting a predefined three-dimensional area.