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Sophisticated Balloons Could Help Steer Spacecraft

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the 51%-of-turns-are-right dept.

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."

2 of 96 comments (clear)

  1. So many options by Thanshin · · Score: 5, Funny

    advanced flight control systems that meld balloon and parachute technologies known as a ballute (BALLoon-parachUTE).

    I'd have called it Paraloon.

    Or possibly Ballachute.

    "Ballachute! I choose you!"

    Yep. It works.

  2. Re:Colbert by Thanshin · · Score: 5, Funny

    I officially think that the folks at NASA are a bunch of jerks for not respecting the results of their ISS node naming contest. :-(

    Indeed.

    It kills our best chance of making our first contact with a ship called "Skullfuck Soulshitter".