Captive balloon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A captive balloon is a balloon filled with a gas lighter than air (hydrogen or helium) or hot air, which is fixed with a rope toward the ground. A captive balloon is therefore the lighter of an air aequivalent of a kite. The advantage of captive balloons toward kites, is that they can be easier put up in the sky, especially when there is no wind. In general captive balloons are sensitive toward wind and cannot resist a lightning strike, if not special metallized balloons are used. In opposite to towers and masts, captive balloons can be put down quickly. They should not be considered as structures therefore.
Contents |
[edit] Uses
Captive balloons find many application:
[edit] Radio technique
Captive balloons can be used for temporarily transmitters instead of a radio mast, either by using the rope, which holds the balloon as antenna or by carrying antennas, which are either fed by a radio frequency cable inside the rope, which holds the balloon upward. The advantage of captive balloons is that large antenna heights are easily realizable. A use of an antenna carried by a captured balloon took place for GQV-transmitter in 2003.
[edit] Atmospheric tests of nuclear bombs
For some atmospheric tests of nuclear bombs, captive ballons were used as bomb carrier.
[edit] Balloon barrage
Captured balloons were until the end of World War II often used as air barrage. Nowadays captive balloons as air barrage cannot be used any more, because modern military aircraft are more powerful.
[edit] Observation
Captive balloons were used in earlier times as platform for military observers. Today they are sometimes used as high-flyer at some places for lifting up tourists. Captive balloons can be also used as unmanned observation platform, if they carry camera platforms. Modern cameras are light, and therefore no big balloons are required.
[edit] Advertisment
Captive balloons are sometimes used for advertisement, either by lifting up advertisement signs or by using a balloon with advertisement on it. Often both methods are combined. It is also not incommon to use therefore special designed balloons.
[edit] Amusement
There are small hot air balloons, which should be used as cative balloons on open air parties in order to show the party location. These balloons are sometimes not used as captive balloons, which often led to misinterpretation as UFO. Captive balloons can be also used for carrying lighteffects, which are either lightsticks, battery powered lights and light effects or fed by a cable inside the cable holding the balloon.
[edit] Amateur science
Captive balloons are suitable for amateur science, for example for radio amateurs as antenna carrier or for makng own aerial photographs. Many other applications are possible.
