During certain times of the year at middle and low latitudes, winds in theupper stratosphere move in nearly the opposite direction than the wind in thelower stratosphere. Here we present a method for maintaining a high-altitudeballoon platform in near station-keeping mode that utilizes this stratosphericwind shear. The proposed method places a balloon-borne science platform high inthe stratosphere connected by a lightweight, high-strength tether to a "tug"vehicle located in the lower or middle stratosphere. Using aerodynamic controlsurfaces, wind-induced aerodynamic forces on the tug can be manipulated tocounter the wind drag acting on the higher altitude science vehicle, thuscontrolling the upper vehicle's geographic location. We describe the generalframework of this station-keeping method, some important properties requiredfor the upper stratospheric science payload and lower tug platforms, andcompare this station-keeping approach with the capabilities of a high altitudeairship and conventional tethered aerostat approaches. We conclude bydiscussing the advantages of such a platform for a variety of missions withemphasis on astrophysical research.
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