SKY ANCHOR TEST

The Sky Anchor System was a two balloon system developed and tested by the National Scientific Balloon Facility (NSBF), during the 70's and 80's decade as part of a long lasting effort of the agency to develope a long duration balloon system. The concept -originally tested in a small scale in 1963- was boosted by the needs of the scientific ballooning community which could benefit in many areas of interest from longer exposure times at altitude. The final goal of the developmental effort was to built a vehicle capable of transport a 500 lb scientific payload at 130,000 ft for a minimum of 100 days duration.

The Sky Anchor system used a two balloon system on which a conventional zero pressure balloon (open) carried below a super pressure balloon (closed) which acted as ballast and anchor. In the image at left is a basic scheme of the system (a more detailed description can be seen clicking over the drawing).

The theoretical operation of the system was as follows. Once the system was airborne, on the way to the main balloon's operational altitude, the super pressure became filled and pressurized. As the "super pressure" continued to be carried upward it losed more and more lift. When sunset occured the entire system descended to a new equilibrium altitude where the increase in lift on the super pressure balloon just equaled the sunset effect on the main balloon. Although its volume was decreased, no gas was lost from the main balloon. At sunrise, the main balloon expanded and the system once again rose. In so doing the super pressure balloon losed the lift that it gained at sunset and the system stabilized at the same altitude as the preceding day. Since there was no change in suspended weight on the main balloon, it should not overshoot and again there will be no loss of gas. As in the pure super pressure system, assuming there were no leaks, the flight duration was limited only by creep, gas diffusion and ultraviolet degradation of the balloon fabric.

Throughout the development of the program, the actual flight experience turned out to be much more complex than planned, so after mixed results on 14 flights over six years, the program was abandoned in 1982. However, the experience gained would pave the way for other groups to develop more successful designs in the future. This would allow the original goal behind Sky Anchor to be achieved in the early decades of the 21st century.

Balloon launched on: 12/16/1976
Launch site: Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility, Palestine, Texas, US  
Balloon launched by: National Scientific Balloon Facility (NSBF)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon Raven - 113.300 m3 (13.00 microns)
Flight identification number: 1002PT
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 12/16/1976
Payload weight: 168 kgs

This was a test launch of the Sky Anchor system made to familiarize NSBF staff with the launch procedure and to detect any problem areas that may be encountered during a full up flight launch. It was conducted from launch base of Palestine, Texas on December 16, 1976.

The system flown consisted of a 113,300 cubic meters main balloon, a 47,151 cubic meters balloon simulating the ballast sphere, and a 114 cubic meters tow balloon. The layout and inflation were conducted just as would be in an actual flight. The balloons were then launched and after the system had ascended several kilometers the tow balloon was cut away and destructed. The entire system was then terminated.

The test was very successful. There were no high loadings introduced into the system.

• Development of the Sky Anchor Balloon System AFGL-TR-79-0053, Special Reports No. 217, 1978
• National Scientific Balloon Facility Annual Report, FY 1977 National Center for Atmospheric Research, 1978