Zeppelin Motivation and Design for Testing of an Atmospheric Pulsed

Plasma Thruster
Austin Arechiga, Shane Colburn, Huong Vo
Advanced Propulsion Laboratory
Abstract
The Advanced Propulsion Lab from the Earth and Space Sciences
Department has developed a Pulsed Plasma Thruster (PPT) which
utilizes a propulsion system ideal for operating in a low pressure
and high altitude environment. In order to test the PPT, a high-
altitude balloon flight will be carried out by the lab at the end of
May 2014. The structure housing the thruster is a zeppelin-type
aircraft composed of two lifting balloons, a primary zeppelin
balloon, and a supporting frame for the thruster; it is currently in
the process of being designed and tested. There are several
constraints that need to be fulfilled by the aircraft. The zeppelin
frame needs to be strong and durable enough to support the
thruster, while still light enough so that it could be lifted and fulfill
the twelve lbs weight compliance from the Federal Aviation
Administration. In addition, the zeppelin needs to be able to raise
the payload above the jet stream to an altitude of approximately
70,000 feet and maintain that height once reached in order to
confirm the repeated firings of the PPT.
Zeppelin Envelope
To create the envelope for the zeppelin, we are sealing together 5
identical longitudinal panels of a mylar nylon material, each
approximately 40 feet long and 5 feet across.
The shape of the panels are predetermined in order to give the
zeppelin a teardrop shape for reduced drag.
We will be heat sealing the seams of the panels with a lap joint in
order to stand up against the internal pressure of the balloon.
Support Structure
Support structure to carry the thruster and provide additional
reinforcement for the zeppelin balloon.
Made out of carbon fiber rods, each with 0.125 inch diameter.
45-48 feet long, composed of six shorter substructures, each
approximately eight feet long.
Made up of three faces in order to create a three dimensional
triangular geometry that will resist torque in all directions.
Uses both vertical and diagonal rods to combat against the
compression and tension forces that the structure will be put
under.
Structure of the Zeppelin
The structure uses two 800-g high altitude latex balloons with
150 cubic feet of helium providing the lifting force.
Once the optimal height is reached, the two lifting balloons will
be separated from the main structure through the uses of
NiChrome wire
The main core of zeppelin will be fabricated in house with
mylar as the primary material for the balloon and carbon fiber
rod for the supporting frame.
Current calculations estimate the size of the zeppelin to be 45
feet in length with a 4.5 feet radius.
Issues
Fragility of the material
Expansion of the helium at high altitude
Weight of the payload
Sheer size of the aircraft
Possible leakage in the balloon
Strength of the joint connections for the structure
Logistics
Balloon will be filled with approximately 800 g of helium (76 cubic
meter) in order to offset the gravitational force and create the
neutral buoyancy we want at cruising altitude.
However, taken into account the expansion of helium gas at
reduced pressure (0.012 bar) slightly different masses of the
helium are required to achieve neutral buoyancy at ground and at
altitude.
To solve this problem, we will be under filling the zeppelin at
launch in order to have a fully inflated, neutrally buoyant balloon
up at 70,000 feet.