1998 EARTH SCIENCE VIDEOTAPES |
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Tape Title | Record ID | Date Produced | TRT: |
Synopsis |
| ULTRA LONG DURATION BALLOON PROGRAM | G98-054A | 2/15/98 | 00:09:18 | NASA has begun preparation of a new unpiloted scientific balloon that will fly around the world in the year 2000. The new super pressure Ultra-Long Duration Balloon (ULDB) is designed to stay afloat at altitudes reaching 120,000 feet for up to 100 days with over a ton of scientific and support equipment. This new technology presents significant opportunities to perform many types of research in space and earth science effectively and inexpensively.
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TAPE CONTENTS: |
| ITEM (1): LAUNCH ANIMATION SEQUENCE - Ultra Long Duration Balloons (ULDB) are being designed to stay afloat for several months with over a ton of astronomy or remote sensing equipment. This new balloon technology will enable a science payload to stay aloft for up to 100 days, at a constant altitude of approximately 120,000 feet. That is about 15 miles higher than typical passenger planes fly and above 99.9% of the Earth's atmosphere. This represents an enormous advance over current long-duration balloons that stay aloft for about 10 days and cannot maintain a constant altitude. A ULDB platform can be used to perform many types of research effectively, inexpensively and the payload can be recovered for reuse.
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| ITEM (2): ALTITUDE COMPARISON ANIMATION - Day and night temperature differences, along with barometric pressure differences affect the altitude of current long duration balloons because they are open systems. The Ultra Long Duration Balloon is a closed system enabling it to maintain a more constant altitude.
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| ITEM (3): SIZE COMPARISON - Height comparison of ULDB at launch and at altitude with the Washington Monument. The ULDB balloon consists of 20 acres of a special polyethylene composite material (.08 mil thick) and 20 miles of seams.
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| ITEM (4): ANIMATION OF POTENTIAL ULDB SCIENCE PAYLOADS - Scientists will be able to command the instrument and receive science data on a home computer via the Internet.
Cut 1: Atmospheric payloads such as cosmic ray detection, and anti-matter detectors.
Cut 2: Earth Observation payloads
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| ITEM (5): ULDB MATERIAL TESTING B-ROLL -New composite materials were developed to accomplish ULDBâs mission. This new material must withstand the environmental stresses the balloon will encounter at 120,000 feet for 100 days. These stresses includen temperature variations, pressure, and ultraviolet radiation.
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| ITEM (6): MANUFACTURING METHODS TESTING B-ROLL - Inflating a 30 foot diameter ULDB "model" to its bursting point gives engineers insight into the durability and strength of balloon manufacturing methods.
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| ITEM (7): SOUNDBITE - HARVEY NEEDLEMAN, CHIEF NASA BALLOON PROGRAM OFFICE
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| ITEM (8): SOUNDBITE - STEVE RAQUE, AEROSPACE ENGINEER, NASA BALLOON PROGRAM OFFICE
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