Phaethon :  the solar balloon of Vaucanson high school

Authors et

partners

Tetrahedron  Principle

Captive balloons

Flights

Future of solar balloons

Contacts

Construction

To build our balloon we used 18micro meter thick high density polyethylene. We chose this black plastic sheeting because it absorbs most of the sun radiation, that is to say more than 90 per cent  according to the measure made with the radiometer.

We used masking tape to seam the various parts of the balloon because each time we tried to use heat to seal the plastic (for example we used a soldering iron and even an iron), we damaged the material. We managed to test the masking tape in an oven with  temperatures up to 70 degrees Celsius and we noticed, all its properties were preserved.

Construction of the 22.7 m3 tetrahedron :

The 2 bands of black plastic sheeting

Axel and Etienne helpt by Miss Vassal sport Teacher