High Altitude Platform: Power Requirements

  • Thread starter Thread starter alikim
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Altitude Platform
Click For Summary
The discussion centers on the feasibility of creating a floating platform with a 10x10 meter footprint at 10 km altitude, addressing power requirements, weight, and environmental challenges. Participants emphasize the need for the platform to support its own weight with technology like balloons and solar panels, while also considering extreme temperatures and high winds at that altitude. Questions arise about aircraft licensing and air traffic, with some suggesting that operating at 20 km could mitigate these issues. The conversation also touches on the practicality of using a weather balloon for lifting the payload. Overall, the feasibility of the project hinges on clarifying weight specifications and environmental considerations.
alikim
Messages
20
Reaction score
0
TL;DR
I have a platform 10x10 m footprint, 15 m height, I need it to permanently float at about 10km, doesn't need to navigate. That volume can have some tech like balloons, batteries, propellers, solar panels etc. What is the power req for this could be?
How would I approach this task:
I have a platform 10x10 meters footprint, 15 meters height, I need it to permanently float at about 10km, doesn't need to navigate/steer.
That volume can contain some tech inside like balloons, batteries, propellers, solar panels etc.
What is the power requirement for this could be?
Thank you!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • Like
Likes russ_watters
Baluncore said:
How much does it weigh ?
It needs to support its own weight with w/e tech it uses.
Baluncore said:
Is it licensed as an aircraft ?
How will you avoid all the other aircraft up there ?
Doesn't matter, consider it's above an area that doesn't have any air traffic.
Baluncore said:
Are you aware that the temperature at 10 km is a steady -67°C ?
Yes, so the tech the platform uses need to function at this temperature.
Baluncore said:
Are you aware that the winds at 10 km can be 300 km/h ?
No, let assume there is no wind, also no meteor showers, solar flares, falling space debris etc.
Baluncore said:
It is less windy at 20 km, and there are fewer aircraft.
The higher the better but not in space in case you ask, let's limit it to 20km.

-- I'm asking about power estimate --
 
alikim said:
It needs to support its own weight with w/e tech it uses.
alikim said:
-- I'm asking about power estimate --
Then you must specify the total weight.
 
  • Like
Likes russ_watters
alikim said:
-- I'm asking about power estimate --
Why are you being so obtuse in your problem statement? Is this part of some school project? Why don't you just use a big Weather Balloon to lift your light poofey payload and be done with it?

Touchdown! NASA’s Football Stadium-sized Scientific Balloon Takes Flight​

1662499587759.png

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/60mcf2.jpg
 
  • Like
Likes russ_watters
berkeman said:
Why are you being so obtuse in your problem statement?
alikim said:
It needs to support its own weight with w/e tech it uses.
Easy. Make it out of air!

(Now, if that doesn't "count", please specify the problem rather than make us guess)
 
  • Like
Likes russ_watters
its always been a dream of mine to visit the stars and now that I'm old enough and in a levels i wanted to send a bit of myself to space in a rocked like a hair or something but I've ran into some problems and came here to ask for your opinions on what fuel i should use and what material i should use the the shell of rocket as am only in first year a levels so any suggestions would be much appreciated and the fuel will take up about 90 percent mass and launch the rocket about 830Km the maths...

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
6K
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
14K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
7K
Replies
5
Views
12K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
9K