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Provider of Near Space Solutions

Provider of Near Space Solutions. Near Space Corporation. Tactical Ballooning & Return Vehicles A New Paradigm for Low Cost Near Space Access & Persistence. Low Cost Access to Near Space Conference Boulder, CO April 26-28, 2007. Tim Lachenmeier, PE President. OVERVIEW. Background

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Provider of Near Space Solutions

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  1. Provider of Near Space Solutions

  2. Near Space Corporation Tactical Ballooning & Return Vehicles A New Paradigm for Low Cost Near Space Access & Persistence Low Cost Access to Near Space Conference Boulder, CO April 26-28, 2007 Tim Lachenmeier, PE President

  3. OVERVIEW • Background • GSSL/NSC History • Return Vehicle Milestones • PRV Precedents • Current Ballooning Paradigm • New Tactical Paradigm • Why a Tactical Paradigm • Draw Your Own Conclusions

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Return Vehicle Video First Video 35 High Altitude Deployment Tests >100,000 ft PRV PRECEDENTS

  8. Current Paradigm Built on 50+ Years of Success Commonly Referred to as “Scientific Ballooning” CURRENT BALLOON PARADIGM

  9. PARADIGM CHANGE DOD Discovers Tactical Ballooning

  10. PARADIGM CHANGE DOD Discovers Tactical Ballooning

  11. PARADIGM CHANGE Traditional Launch Tactical Launch • What Is The New Paradigm? • Tactical Balloons • Return Vehicles

  12. What’s Wrong With The Old Paradigm? • Ground Winds > 5 Knots • Logistics • Inflation/Launch Infrastructure • Payload Recovery • Cost PAST PROBLEMS

  13. 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

  14. PROBLEM #1: GROUND WINDS > 5 KNOTS • General Approach: View Wind as the Enemy • Common Approach: Enclose Balloon in a Protective Bag Before Launch • Prevents Balloon Damage from Ground Contact

  15. NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #1 • NSC Developed aTactical Launch Bag* • Wind Inflates Bag • Orients Like a Wind Sock • Creates a Still-Air Environment for Balloon Inflation * Patent Pending

  16. NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #1 • Instead of Launching a Deployed Main Balloon, NSC Developed a Tandem Balloon System* * Patent Pending

  17. NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #1 Traditional Launch Tactical Launch • Tactical Balloon System • Small Tow Balloon & Packed Main • Allows Launch from Ships, Parking Lots, Small Clearings

  18. TACTICAL PARADIGM Tactical Launch Second Video

  19. NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #1 Tactical Launch Bag Tandem Balloon System One or Two People Can Now Set Up & Launch Large Balloons! Proven in 26+ Knot Winds!

  20. Traditional Balloons Require Significant Support • People • Equipment • Inventory PROBLEM #2: LOGISTICS

  21. NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #2 • Tactical Launch Bag & Tactical Balloon System Allow One or Two People to Launch Balloons • Minimizes Logistics Footprint

  22. Mission Flexibility Requires Large Inventory of Standard Balloons • Balloons Sized by Payload & Altitude PROBLEM #2: LOGISTICS

  23. NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #2 • Inventory of Adjustable Tactical Balloons Allows Flexibility • Eliminates Custom Manufacturing

  24. NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #2 Tactical Launch Bag Tandem Balloon System Inventory of Adjustable Balloons More Launch Opportunities - Fewer Resources!

  25. PROBLEM #3: INFLATION INFRASTRUCTURE • Traditional Inflation Requires: • Numerous People • Ground Anchor • Continuous Monitoring • Ground Wind < 5 Kts

  26. NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #3 • Tactical Launch Bag & Tactical Balloon System Enables One Person Inflation in Wind > 30 Kts

  27. 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 * Patent Pending

  28. NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #3 Tactical Launch Bag Tandem Balloon System Autonomous Inflation More Frequent Streamlined Launches!

  29. 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

  30. NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #4 • 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 * Patent Pending

  31. NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #4 Payload Return Vehicle More Flights, Fewer Resources, Same Payload!

  32. Wind Delays =$ People, Equipment & Inventory =$ Parachute Recovery/ Destruction =$ PROBLEM #5: COST

  33. NSC SOLUTION TO PROBLEM #5 Eliminates Wind Delays Less People, Equipment & Inventory Same Payload, Multiple Flights Lower Cost Alternative!

  34. Near Space Corporation NOT FOR EVERYONE! • Primary Application • Payload < 200 lbs • Altitude < 100,000 ft • Duration < 48 hrs

  35. Near Space Corporation Tactical Ballooning & Return Vehicles A New Paradigm for Low Cost Near Space Access & Persistence Questions? Tim Lachenmeier, PE President

  36. Provider of Near Space Solutions POC: Tim Lachenmeier Email: Tim.Lachenmeier@nsc.aero Phone: (503) 842-1990 Fax: (503) 842-1923 Web Site: www.nsc.aero

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