High Altitude Platform: Power Requirements

  • Thread starter Thread starter alikim
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Altitude Platform
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around estimating the power requirements for a high altitude platform designed to float at approximately 10 km. Participants explore various technical considerations, including weight, environmental conditions, and potential technologies that could be employed.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the power requirements for a platform with a 10x10 meter footprint and 15 meters height, intended to float at 10 km.
  • Another participant questions the weight of the platform and raises concerns about air traffic, wind speeds, and temperatures at 10 km.
  • There is a suggestion to consider the platform's operation at 20 km, where conditions may be less challenging.
  • Some participants emphasize the necessity for the platform to support its own weight with the technology it incorporates.
  • One participant proposes using a weather balloon as a simpler alternative for lifting a lightweight payload.
  • Another participant humorously suggests making the platform out of air, indicating a need for clearer specifications regarding the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility and specifics of the platform's design, with no consensus on the power requirements or the best approach to the problem. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific weight and technology considerations.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight various assumptions, such as ignoring wind and other environmental factors, which may affect the power estimation. There are also unresolved questions about the platform's weight and the technologies that could be used.

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
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 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.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 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
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 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)
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: russ_watters

Similar threads

New unusually powered "equatorial mount" tracking for solar panels
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Stargazing Your Thoughts on a High Altitude Telescope
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
6K
Graduate Unorthodox "space" elevator idea
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Atmospheric Density vs Altitude in an O'Neil Cylinder
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Rocket design -300km range, 5-15kg payload, 200mg accuracy
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
6K
Plumbing Compressed air powered water pressure
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
15K
Island in the sky - helium launch platform
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
7K
Undergrad Practical problem - fill 1000 liter water tank with pump using solar power
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
12K
Requesting suggestions for languages, libraries, and architectures for parallel (and sometimes non parallel) numerical and scientific computations
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Kerbal Space Program - Rocket Design Basics
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
10K