Oral Presentation Only

Validation Results of Pressure Independent First-Order Thermal Models of High-Altitude Balloon Gondolas

Authors: Jeremy Meduvsky (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University–Prescott) , Michael Howeth (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University–Prescott) , Chelsea Katan (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University–Prescott) , Douglas R. Isenberg (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University–Prescott)

Abstract

This paper discusses the validity of pressure independent first-order thermal models for high-altitude balloon gondolas subjected to short duration flights. Thermal system identification results performed on a test gondola in a vacuum chamber at varying pressures are presented. These results indicate that the lumped parameter of thermal resistance changes significantly with pressure. Though this dependence on pressure may make a difference on long-duration flights, the validation results that are presented in this paper indicate that pressure independent models are capable of responding to within a few degrees of the actual temperature on short duration flights.

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How to Cite: Meduvsky, J. , Howeth, M. , Katan, C. & Isenberg, D. R. (2013) “Validation Results of Pressure Independent First-Order Thermal Models of High-Altitude Balloon Gondolas”, Academic High Altitude Conference. 2013(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ahac.5596