Sophisticated Balloons Could Help Steer Spacecraft

coondoggie writes "Getting spacecraft traveling at hypersonic speeds to slow down and land or achieve a particular orbit on a dime is no easy feat. But researchers are developing a tool that will let engineers model and ultimately build advanced flight control systems that meld balloon and parachute technologies known as a ballute (BALLoon-parachUTE). Basically a ballute is a large, inflatable device that takes advantage of atmospheric drag to decelerate and capture a spacecraft into orbit around a planet, according to NASA who is funding Global Aerospace to build such a tool."

Don't call it a baloot..

[Anonymous Coward]

The word (warning, link not for PETA or squeemish) balut [wikipedia.org] is pronounced baloot too.

Re:Colbert

[toddbu]

I have no problem if they don't want to have write-ins. What I have a problem with is when they offer the write-in and then don't respect the results. In business, they call this bait-and-switch. It demonstrates a lot of arrogance.

Re:Old tech?

[HTH NE1]

the way it unfolded in front indicated a non rigid structure that should have been pushed back towards the spacecraft by the pressure of the atmosphere.

You neglect the internal pressure of the ballute which would be made greater than that of the outer layer of the atmosphere of Jupiter at that altitude, giving it rigidity.

Someone should try putting a balloon held in a forward position by a solid structure (so it doesn't flutter backwards) against the wind in a wind tunnel to test this, post the video to YouTube, and provide a link here.

Re:Colbert

[oodaloop]

Well, I think their intent was to honor legitimate submissions, not become the punchline for a comedian.

Re:Colbert

[Anonymous Coward]

Perhaps that why they featured, quite prominently, a big disclaimer saying they were not bound by the results?

Perhaps they wanted a glimpse into what the public thought, rather than opening it up to ballot stuffers and vote riggers?

Maybe, just maybe, they had the idea that giving people a voice was not quite the same thing as giving people the final say?