A method of 3-D region controlling for scientific balloon long-endurance flight in the real wind

The wind field that is suitable for scientific balloon realizing horizontal regional residence is related to altitude. In order to help scientific balloon flight in the expected 3-D region, a scientific balloon 3-D region control system consisting of altitude control, vertical velocity control and horizontal distance control was proposed. The theoretical model was established based on the control system. A MATLAB computer program was developed to simulate the scientific balloon performance in the real wind field. Venting and pumping gas effects, the differences between control systems, as well as 3-D region control performances are investigated in detail. The results indicate that the control system adjusts the scientific balloon vertical velocity by venting and pumping gas, the balloon horizontal trajectory deviations are below 1.6%. In addition, the 3-D region control system adjusts the scientific balloon in certain altitude range and vertical velocity range to make a better use of wind field, which helps the balloon flight in a expected region for a long period to accomplish the desired 3-D region residence purposes. This work may provide a valuable reference for improving the long-endurance flight of scientific balloon.