Iowa State University

1. Iowa State University

2. At Iowa State University, researchers from the Center for Transportation Research and Education (CTRE) are exploring the use of tethered Helikites as a means to collect data. Helikites are being evaluated for their potential use in transportation planning and disaster assessment and response for critical infrastructure.

3. History of Balloons and Kites in Remote Sensing 1858 – First aerial photograph is taken 366 meters over Paris by Gaspar Felix Tournachon Nadar 1859 – Photographic images of a French village taken from a hot-air balloon 1860 – Boston, MA photographed from balloon at 366 meters 1862 – US Army Balloon Corps created to observe Confederate positions around Richmound, VA 1870 – Free Balloons used to take pictures from 10060 – 10360 meters

4. History (Cont) 1877 – Germans use balloons to take aerial photographs of forests 1889 – Arthur Batut takes first aerial photograph using a kite 1906 – George Lawrence takes aerial photographs of San Francisco using a series of kites 1920 – Henry Chardin developed fully automatic device for KAP 1936 – Captain Albert W. Stavens takes the first aerial photograph of curvature of earth taken from 21,946 meters

5. Today • Today, aerial photographs can be taken from a helium balloon-kite combination called a Helikite. • Helikites are being explored for their uses as rapidly deployed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

6. Why use a Helikite? • The unique shape of the balloon-kite combination allows it to capture aerodynamic lift more effectively. This allows launching to take place regardless of wind speed. Tethered Balloon Tethered Balloon-kite No Lift Aerodynamic Lift Front View Side View

7. Skyhook Helikite 25 m3 Standard Aerostat 2.5 m3 Why use a Helikite? • A balloon-kite of only 2.5m3 can fly in a 56 kph wind at an elevation of 1677 meters. • A conventional tethered blimp would need to be 25m3 to accomplish this task.

8. Competing Technologies • Helikites can be used for the majority of Wind conditions • Balloon component allows it to lift camera equipment in little wind • Kite component stabilizes the apparatus in high wind conditions

9. Competing Technologies • In order to lift 8 kg of camera equipment in 3-Bft of wind, one would need to purchase • 3.5 m3 Helikite • 7.9m3 Helium Balloon • 13.8 m3 Helium Blimp • Sutton Flow Form 30 Kite

10. Benefits of Helikites vs. Balloons and Kites • Helikites use a combination of Helium and wind, thus requiring less helium than traditional balloons • No operator is required after launch – They fly themselves • They can be easily launched in confined areas

11. Benefits • Easy to transport • They are reusable • Low maintenance • Inexpensive

12. Transportation Applications Because Helikites are affordable, easy to maintain, and fly in all conditions, they are a perfect tool for: • Planning • Surveillance • Disaster Assessment and Response

13. Transportation Planning • Monitoring Traffic Issues • Evaluating Safety Problem Areas • Observing Driver Behavior • Merging on Freeway Ramps • Car following • Operations

14. Surveillance • Special Events • Monitoring • Controlling • Resolving Traffic and Parking Issues • Infrastructure Protection • Continuously Fly Helikites Over Critical Infrastructure Such as Bridges

15. Disaster Assessment and Response • Terrorism Events • Managing Evacuation Events • Assessing Large Car or Train Crashes • Planning Natural Disaster Responses

16. Limitations • Weight Limits • Stationary • Minimum of 3 people to set up

17. CTRE Helikite Camera Equipment

18. CTRE Helikite • Picavet Suspension System

19. CTRE Helikite • Miscellaneous Supplies • 600-lb Darcon Kite Line • Windbreaker Hand Reels • Helium • Storage Containers Picture Taken From Helikite