GLTRS--Glenn
TITLE AND SUBTITLE:
High-Altitude, Long-Endurance Airships for Coastal Surveillance

AUTHOR(S):
Anthony Colozza and James L. Dolce

REPORT DATE:
February 2005

FUNDING NUMBERS:
WBS-22-066-20-08

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES):
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Cleveland, Ohio 44135-3191

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER:
E-14961

SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES):
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington, DC 20546-0001

REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED:
Technical Memorandum

SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY REPORT NUMBER:
NASA TM-2005-213427

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES:
Anthony Colozza, Analex Corporation, Brook Park, Ohio 44142; and James L. Dolce, NASA Glenn Research Center. Responsible person, Anthony Colozza, organization code RPC, 216-433-5293.

ABSTRACT:
A high altitude solar powered airship provides the ability to carry large payloads to high altitudes and remain on station for extended periods of time. This study examines applications and background of this type of concept vehicle, reviews the history of high altitude flight and provides a point design analysis. The capabilities and limitations of the airship are demonstrated and possible solutions are proposed. Factors such as time of year, latitude, wind speeds, and payload are considered in establishing the capabilities of the airship. East and west coast operation is evaluated. The key aspect to success of this type of airship is the design and operation of the propulsion and power system. A preliminary propulsion/power system design was produced based on a regenerative fuel cell energy storage system and solar photovoltaic array for energy production. Results on power system requirements for year long operation is presented.

SUBJECT TERMS:
High altitude; Airships; Coasts; Surveillance

NUMBER OF PAGES:
21

PDF AVAILABLE FROM URL:
2005/TM-2005-213427.pdf ( 2,230 KB )
This page contains an Adobe® Acrobat® Reader PDF file. The PDF documents have been created to show thumbnails of each page. If the thumbnails do not display properly, download the file to the hard drive and view through Acrobat® Reader. You can download Acrobat® Reader for free.

NASA NASA GLTRS--Glenn

A service of the NASA Glenn Research Center Logistics and Technical Information Division

Suggestions or questions about this site can be directed to:

NASA official: Technical Publications Manager, Sue.E.Butts@nasa.gov

Web curator: Caroline.A.Rist@grc.nasa.gov

Privacy Policy and Important Notices