Provider of Near Space Solutions

Tactical Ballooning & Return Vehicles

A New Paradigm for

Low Cost Near Space Access & Persistence

Near Space Corporation

Tim Lachenmeier, PEPresident

Low Cost Access to Near Space Conference

Boulder, COApril 26-28, 2007

• Background

• GSSL/NSC History

• Return Vehicle Milestones

• PRV Precedents

• Current Ballooning Paradigm

• New Tactical Paradigm

• Why a Tactical Paradigm

• Draw Your Own Conclusions

OVERVIEW

• Origins• 1995 - Founded as GSSL Inc

• 2006 - Became Near Space Corp

• Specializing In Near Space Platforms & Vehicles:

• Analysis

• Design

• Fabrication

• Flight Ops

• Training

COMPANY HISTORY

• Experience:• Government

• NASA - Planetary Technology (Venus, Mars, & Titan)• NOAA/NCAR - Atmospheric Research• USAF – Tactical Balloon Systems & Return Vehicles

• Commercial Space

• Prototyping • Flight Test• Space Inflatables

• Laboratories

• Lawrence Livermore• Pacific Northwest National• MIT-LL•JHU-APL

COMPANY HISTORY

• Return Vehicle Milestones:• 2001 - NASA ARC/NRL - 1st HA Deployment (Glider)

• 2002 - NASA ARC/NRL - 1st HA Deployment (Powered)

• 2002 - NASA LaRC/AFS - 1st HA Deployment (Folded)

• 2003 – NASA LaRC/AFS – Down Select for Mars Scout 07

• 2004 - NASA JPL/BOEING – Mars Guided Parachutes

• 2005 - USAF Tactical Balloon/Return Vehicle

• 2006 – NASA LaRC/AFS – Down Select for Mars Scout 11

35 High Altitude Deployment Tests >100,000 ft

COMPANY HISTORY

• Return Vehicle Video

35 High Altitude Deployment Tests >100,000 ft

PRV PRECEDENTS

First Video

CURRENT BALLOON PARADIGM

• Current Paradigm Built on 50+ Years of Success

• Commonly Referred to as “Scientific Ballooning”

• DOD Discovers Tactical Ballooning

PARADIGM CHANGE

• DOD Discovers Tactical Ballooning

PARADIGM CHANGE

PARADIGM CHANGE

Traditional Launch

• What Is The New Paradigm?

• Tactical Balloons

• Return Vehicles

Tactical Launch

PAST PROBLEMS

• What’s Wrong With The Old Paradigm?

• Ground Winds > 5 Knots

• Logistics

• Inflation/Launch Infrastructure

• Payload Recovery

• Cost

PROBLEM #1: GROUND WINDS > 5 KNOTS

• Ground Wind Problem Linked to Inflation and Launching

• At Low Altitude:

• Relatively Small Gas Bubble• Excess Material • Material Becomes Large Sail• High Potential for Film Damage

• At High Altitude:

• Gas Expands• Material is Fully Deployed• Balloon Moves with the Wind• Low Potential for Film Damage

• General Approach: View Wind as the Enemy

• Common Approach: Enclose Balloon in a Protective Bag Before Launch

• Prevents Balloon Damage from Ground Contact

PROBLEM #1: GROUND WINDS > 5 KNOTS

• NSC Developed a Tactical Launch Bag*

• Wind Inflates Bag

• Orients Like a Wind Sock

• Creates a Still-Air Environment for Balloon Inflation

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #1

* Patent Pending

• Instead of Launching a Deployed Main Balloon, NSC Developed a Tandem Balloon System*

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #1

* Patent Pending

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #1

Traditional Launch

• Tactical Balloon System

• Small Tow Balloon & Packed Main

• Allows Launch from Ships, Parking Lots, Small Clearings

Tactical Launch

TACTICAL PARADIGM

Tactical Launch

Second Video

One or Two People Can Now Set Up & Launch Large Balloons!

Proven in 26+ Knot Winds!

• Tactical Launch Bag

• Tandem Balloon System

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #1

PROBLEM #2: LOGISTICS

• Traditional Balloons Require Significant Support

• People

• Equipment

• Inventory

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #2

• Tactical Launch Bag & Tactical Balloon System Allow One or Two People to Launch Balloons

• Minimizes Logistics Footprint

• Mission Flexibility Requires Large Inventory of Standard Balloons

• Balloons Sized by Payload & Altitude

PROBLEM #2: LOGISTICS

• Inventory of Adjustable Tactical Balloons Allows Flexibility

• Eliminates Custom Manufacturing

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #2

More Launch Opportunities - Fewer Resources!

• Tandem Balloon System

• Inventory of Adjustable Balloons

• Tactical Launch Bag

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #2

PROBLEM #3: INFLATION INFRASTRUCTURE

• Traditional Inflation Requires:

• Numerous People

• Ground Anchor

• Continuous Monitoring

• Ground Wind < 5 Kts

• Tactical Launch Bag & Tactical Balloon System Enables One Person Inflation in Wind > 30 Kts

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #3

• Autonomous Inflation* Simplifies Inflation Process

• Skilled Operator Not Required

• Continuous Monitoring Not Required

• “Gasoline Pump” Hook Up

• Turn One Valve & Walk Away

• Gas Supply Turns Off Automatically When Required Amount Delivered

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #3

* Patent Pending

More Frequent Streamlined Launches!

• Tandem Balloon System

• Autonomous Inflation

• Tactical Launch Bag

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #3

PROBLEM #4: PAYLOAD RECOVERY

• Current Payload Recovery Usually by Parachute

• Limited Trajectory Control

• Very Small Achievable Cross Track Distances

• Chase & Recovery To Uncontrolled Areas Required

• Other Option: Self-Destruction at Mission Termination

• Wastes Valuable Payloads

• More Efficient Solution: Embed Payload in a Payload Return Vehicle*

• Returns Payload Significant Distances

• Crosswind, Upwind & Loitering Capable

• Standardized Interface Makes Payload Swap-Out Simple

• Multiple Missions, One Platform

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #4

* Patent Pending

More Flights, Fewer Resources, Same Payload!

• Payload Return Vehicle

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #4

PROBLEM #5: COST

Wind Delays = $

People, Equipment& Inventory = $

Parachute Recovery/Destruction = $

NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #5

Lower Cost Alternative!

• Eliminates Wind Delays

• Less People, Equipment & Inventory

• Same Payload, Multiple Flights

• Primary Application • Payload < 200 lbs

• Altitude < 100,000 ft

• Duration < 48 hrs

Near Space Corporation NOT FOR

EVERYONE!

Tactical Ballooning & Return Vehicles

A New Paradigm for Low Cost Near Space Access & Persistence

Near Space Corporation

Tim Lachenmeier, PEPresident

Questions?

POC: Tim LachenmeierEmail: Tim.Lachenmeier@nsc.aeroPhone: (503) 842-1990Fax: (503) 842-1923Web Site: www.nsc.aero

Provider of Near Space Solutions