Near-space operation systems

• US 20150284065A1
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Published: 10/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: World view enterprises inc.
• Original Assignee: World view enterprises inc.
• Inventors: MacCallum, Taber K., Maccagnano, John Zaniel, Padilla, Sebastian A., Dang, Jacob H., Eustace, Robert Alan, Nott, Julian R., Shankarnarayan, Sreenivasan, Straus, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,694,910 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/02 Non-rigid airships B64B1/58 takes precedence; balloons B64B1/40
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/40 Balloons B64B1/58 takes precedence; toy balloons A63H27/10
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 10/00 Flight suits helmets in general A42B3/00; breathing helmets A62B18/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 17/00 Parachutes non canopied parachutes B64D19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 17/22 Load suspension
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 17/62 Deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 17/64 by extractor parachute
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2010/005 High altitude suits or garments, e.g. partial or total pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2010/007 Suits with cooling or heating means

Abstract

A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.

Claims

1. A stratospheric-visit system, relating to a stratospheric visit using lighter-than-air travel, comprising:

a) a payload system structured and arranged to provide at least one payload including

i) at least one human, and

ii) at least one parachute system;

b) a launch system structured and arranged to launch the at least one payload;

c) wherein said launch system comprises

i) a lighter-than-air propulsion system structured and arranged to lighter-than-air-propel the at least one payload,

ii) a tethering system structured and arranged to tether, initially to ground, said lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) an un-tethering system structured and arranged to un-tether, from the ground, said lighter-than-air propulsion system;

d) an environmental control system structured and arranged to control, during the stratospheric visit, at least one human-life-support environment of the at least one human;

e) a travel control system structured and arranged to control, in the stratospheric visit, travel of the at least one payload;

f) a communication system structured and arranged to communicate within said stratospheric-visit system; and

g) a recovery system structured and arranged to recover at least the at least one human;

h) wherein said recovery system comprises

i) a separator system structured and arranged to perform separation of at least the at least one human from said lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) the parachute system structured and arranged to decelerate at least the at least one human after the separation of at least the at least one human from said lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) a landing system structured and arranged to assist landing of at least the at least one human; and

i) a parachute pre-deploying system structured and arranged to deploy, prior to the launch of the at least one payload, said parachute system.

2. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload;

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

3. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 2 wherein said distance separating means comprises anti-tangling means for assisting prevention of tangling of said coupling means with the at least one payload.

4. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 2 wherein said distance separating means comprises burble-confine penetrator means for assisting said parachute system to penetrate at least one burble confine during deployment of said parachute system.

5. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 1:

a) wherein at least portions of said environmental control system and said communication system comprise at least one equipment module;

b) wherein said at least one equipment module comprises a torso-coupling system structured and arranged to couple said at least one equipment module to a torso of the at least one human;

c) wherein said torso-coupling system comprises a rigid adapter structured and arranged to closely abut a front of the torso of the at least one human;

d) wherein said rigid adapter comprises at least one size adjuster structured and arranged to adjust dimensions of said rigid adapter to the front of the torso of the at least one human prior to launch;

e) wherein said rigid adapter further comprises at least one oxygen-supply mount structured and arranged to be attached to an oxygen supply; and

f) wherein the oxygen-supply is positionable to be transported along the front torso of the at least one human.

6. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 5 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload;

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

7. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a) a payload ground-traversing system structured and arranged to assist traversing of at least the at least one human across the ground;

b) wherein said payload ground-traversing system comprises

i) a payload support system structured and arranged to support, during launch, at least the at least one human,

ii) wherein said payload support system comprises an injury-minimizing system structured and arranged to minimize injury, during launch, to at least the at least one human and at least one accompanying said environmental control system,

iii) wherein said injury-minimizing system comprises at least one configuration structured and arranged to conform to at least the at least one human and at least one accompanying said environmental control system,

iv) wherein said injury-minimizing system comprises at least one cushioning structured and arranged to cushion at least the at least one human and the at least one accompanying said environmental control system, and

v) wherein said payload support system comprises a motion direction system structured and arranged to move in both rotational and translational directions.

8. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 7 wherein said payload support system is further structured and arranged to be separated, during launch of the at least one payload, from the at least one payload.

9. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 1 wherein said parachute system comprises at least one parafoil.

10. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 9 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload;

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

11. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 10 wherein said distance separating means comprises anti-tangling means for assisting prevention of tangling of said coupling means with the at least one payload.

12. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 10 wherein said distance separating means comprises burble-confine penetrator means for assisting said parachute system to penetrate at least one burble confine during deployment of said parachute system.

13. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 9:

a) wherein at least portions of said environmental control system and said communication system comprise at least one equipment module;

b) wherein said at least one equipment module comprises a torso-coupling system structured and arranged to couple said at least one equipment module to a torso of the at least one human;

c) wherein said torso-coupling system comprises a rigid adapter structured and arranged to closely abut a front of the torso of the at least one human;

d) wherein said rigid adapter comprises at least one size adjuster structured and arranged to adjust dimensions of said rigid adapter to the front of the torso of the at least one human prior to launch;

e) wherein said rigid adapter further comprises at least one oxygen-supply mount structured and arranged to be attached to an oxygen supply; and

f) wherein the oxygen-supply is positionable to be transported along the front torso of the at least one human.

14. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 13 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload;

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

15. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 9 further comprising:

a) a payload ground-traversing system structured and arranged to assist traversing of at least the at least one human across the ground;

b) wherein said payload ground-traversing system comprises

i) a payload support system structured and arranged to support, during launch, at least the at least one human,

ii) wherein said payload support system comprises an injury-minimizing system structured and arranged to minimize injury, during launch, to at least the at least one human and at least one accompanying said environmental control system,

iii) wherein said injury-minimizing system comprises at least one configuration structured and arranged to conform to at least the at least one human and at least one accompanying said environmental control system,

iv) wherein said injury-minimizing system comprises at least one cushioning structured and arranged to cushion at least the at least one human and the at least one accompanying said environmental control system, and

v) wherein said payload support system comprises a motion direction system structured and arranged to move in both rotational and translational directions.

16. stratospheric-visit system according to claim 15 wherein said payload support system is further structured and arranged to be separated, during launch of the at least one payload, from the at least one payload.

17. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 1 wherein said parachute system comprises at least one drogue chute.

18. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 17 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload;

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

19. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 18 wherein said distance separating means comprises anti-tangling means for assisting prevention of tangling of said coupling means with the at least one payload.

20. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 18 wherein said distance separating means comprises burble-confine penetrator means for assisting said parachute system to penetrate at least one burble confine during deployment of said parachute system.

21. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 17:

a) wherein at least portions of said environmental control system and said communication system comprise at least one equipment module;

b) wherein said at least one equipment module comprises a torso-coupling system structured and arranged to couple said at least one equipment module to a torso of the at least one human;

c) wherein said torso-coupling system comprises a rigid adapter structured and arranged to closely abut a front of the torso of the at least one human;

d) wherein said rigid adapter comprises at least one size adjuster structured and arranged to adjust dimensions of said rigid adapter to the front of the torso of the at least one human prior to launch;

e) wherein said rigid adapter further comprises at least one oxygen-supply mount structured and arranged to be attached to an oxygen supply; and

f) wherein the oxygen-supply is positionable to be transported along the front torso of the at least one human.

22. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 21 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload;

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

23. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 17 further comprising:

a) a payload ground-traversing system structured and arranged to assist traversing of at least the at least one human across the ground;

b) wherein said payload ground-traversing system comprises

i) a payload support system structured and arranged to support, during launch, at least the at least one human,

ii) wherein said payload support system comprises an injury-minimizing system structured and arranged to minimize injury, during launch, to at least the at least one human and at least one accompanying said environmental control system,

iii) wherein said injury-minimizing system comprises at least one configuration structured and arranged to conform to at least the at least one human and at least one accompanying said environmental control system,

iv) wherein said injury-minimizing system comprises at least one cushioning structured and arranged to cushion at least the at least one human and the at least one accompanying said environmental control system, and

v) wherein said payload support system comprises a motion direction system structured and arranged to move in both rotational and translational directions.

24. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 23 wherein said payload support system is further structured and arranged to be separated, during launch of the at least one payload, from the at least one payload.

25. A stratospheric-visit system, relating to a stratospheric visit using lighter-than-air travel, comprising:

a) a payload system structured and arranged to provide at least one payload including

i) at least one human, and

ii) at least one parachute system;

b) a launch system structured and arranged to launch the at least one payload;

c) wherein said launch system comprises

i) a lighter-than-air propulsion system structured and arranged to lighter-than-air-propel the at least one payload,

ii) a tethering system structured and arranged to tether, initially to ground, said lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) an un-tethering system structured and arranged to un-tether, from the ground, said lighter-than-air propulsion system;

d) an environmental control system structured and arranged to control, during the stratospheric visit, at least one human-life-support environment of the at least one human;

e) a travel control system structured and arranged to control, in the stratospheric visit, travel of the at least one payload;

f) a communication system structured and arranged to communicate within said stratospheric-visit system; and

g) a recovery system structured and arranged to recover at least the at least one human;

h) wherein said recovery system comprises

i) a separator system structured and arranged to perform separation of at least the at least one human from said lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) the parachute system structured and arranged to decelerate at least the at least one human after the separation of at least the at least one human from said lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) a landing system structured and arranged to assist landing of at least the at least one human; and

i) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

j) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload;

k) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

l) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

26. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 25 wherein said distance separating means comprises anti-tangling means for assisting prevention of tangling of said coupling means with the at least one payload.

27. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 25 wherein said distance separating means comprises burble-confine penetrator means for assisting said parachute system to penetrate at least one burble confine during deployment of said parachute system.

28. A stratospheric-visit system, relating to a stratospheric visit using lighter-than-air travel, comprising:

a) a payload system structured and arranged to provide at least one payload including

i) at least one human, and

ii) at least one parachute system; and

b) a launch system structured and arranged to launch the at least one payload;

c) wherein said launch system comprises

i) a lighter-than-air propulsion system structured and arranged to lighter-than-air-propel the at least one payload,

ii) a tethering system structured and arranged to tether, initially to ground, said lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) an un-tethering system structured and arranged to un-tether, from the ground, said lighter-than-air propulsion system; and

d) an environmental control system structured and arranged to control, during the stratospheric visit, at least one human-life-support environment of the at least one human;

e) a travel control system structured and arranged to control, in the stratospheric visit, travel of the at least one payload;

f) a communication system structured and arranged to communicate within said stratospheric-visit system; and

g) a recovery system structured and arranged to recover at least the at least one human;

h) wherein said recovery system comprises

i) a separator system structured and arranged to perform separation of at least the at least one human from said lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) the parachute system structured and arranged to decelerate at least the at least one human after the separation of at least the at least one human from said lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) a landing system structured and arranged to assist landing of at least the at least one human; and

i) a payload ground-traversing system structured and arranged to assist traversing of at least the at least one human across the ground;

j) wherein said payload ground-traversing system comprises

i) a payload support system structured and arranged to support, during launch, at least the at least one human,

ii) wherein said payload support system comprises an injury-minimizing system structured and arranged to minimize injury, during launch, to at least the at least one human and at least one accompanying said environmental control system,

iii) wherein said injury-minimizing system comprises at least one configuration structured and arranged to conform to at least the at least one human and at least one accompanying said environmental control system,

iv) wherein said injury-minimizing system comprises at least one cushioning structured and arranged to cushion at least the at least one human and the at least one accompanying said environmental control system, and

v) wherein said payload support system comprises a motion direction system structured and arranged to move in both rotational and translational directions.

29. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 28 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload;

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

30. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 29 wherein said distance separating means comprises anti-tangling means for assisting prevention of tangling of said coupling means with the at least one payload.

31. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 29 wherein said distance separating means comprises burble-confine penetrator means for assisting said parachute system to penetrate at least one burble confine during deployment of said parachute system.

32. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 28:

a) wherein at least portions of said environmental control system and said communication system comprise at least one equipment module;

b) wherein said at least one equipment module comprises a torso-coupling system structured and arranged to couple said at least one equipment module to a torso of the at least one human;

c) wherein said torso-coupling system comprises a rigid adapter structured and arranged to closely abut a front of the torso of the at least one human;

d) wherein said rigid adapter comprises at least one size adjuster structured and arranged to adjust dimensions of said rigid adapter to the front of the torso of the at least one human prior to launch;

e) wherein said rigid adapter further comprises at least one oxygen-supply mount structured and arranged to be attached to an oxygen supply; and

f) wherein the oxygen-supply is positionable to be transported along the front torso of the at least one human.

33. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 32 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload;

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

34. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 28 wherein said payload support system is further structured and arranged to be separated, during launch of the at least one payload, from the at least one payload.

35. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 34 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload;

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

36. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 35 wherein said distance separating means comprises anti-tangling means for assisting prevention of tangling of said coupling means with the at least one payload.

37. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 35 wherein said distance separating means comprises burble-confine penetrator means for assisting said parachute system to penetrate at least one burble confine during deployment of said parachute system.

38. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 34:

a) wherein at least portions of said environmental control system and said communication system comprise at least one equipment module;

b) wherein said at least one equipment module comprises a torso-coupling system structured and arranged to couple said at least one equipment module to a torso of the at least one human;

c) wherein said torso-coupling system comprises a rigid adapter structured and arranged to closely abut a front of the torso of the at least one human;

d) wherein said rigid adapter comprises at least one size adjuster structured and arranged to adjust dimensions of said rigid adapter to the front of the torso of the at least one human prior to launch;

e) wherein said rigid adapter further comprises at least one oxygen-supply mount structured and arranged to be attached to an oxygen supply; and

f) wherein the oxygen-supply is positionable to be transported along the front torso of the at least one human.

39. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 38 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload;

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

40. A stratospheric-visit system, relating to a stratospheric visit using lighter-than-air travel, comprising:

a) a payload system structured and arranged to provide at least one payload including

i) at least one human, and

ii) at least one parachute system; and

b) a launch system structured and arranged to launch the at least one payload;

c) wherein said launch system comprises

i) a lighter-than-air propulsion system structured and arranged to lighter-than-air-propel the at least one payload,

ii) a tethering system structured and arranged to tether, initially to ground, said lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) an un-tethering system structured and arranged to un-tether, from the ground, said lighter-than-air propulsion system; and

d) an environmental control system structured and arranged to control, during the stratospheric visit, at least one human-life-support environment of the at least one human;

e) a travel control system structured and arranged to control, in the stratospheric visit, travel of the at least one payload;

f) a communication system structured and arranged to communicate within said stratospheric-visit system; and

g) a recovery system structured and arranged to recover at least the at least one human;

h) wherein said recovery system comprises

i) a separator system structured and arranged to perform separation of at least the at least one human from said lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) the parachute system structured and arranged to decelerate at least the at least one human after the separation of at least the at least one human from said lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) a landing system structured and arranged to assist landing of at least the at least one human; and

i) wherein said tethering system comprises

i) at least one lift-resisting ground restraint structured and arranged to resist upward lift imparted by said lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) at least one balloon-to-restraint coupler structured and arranged to couple said lighter-than-air propulsion system to said at least one lift-resisting ground restraint, and

iii) at least one payload coupler structured and arranged to couple the at least one payload to such at least one balloon-to-restraint coupler; and

j) wherein said un-tethering system comprises

i) at least one restraint-decoupling system structured and arranged to decouple said at least one balloon-to-restraint coupler from said at least one lift-resisting ground restraint,

ii) wherein the at least one payload, after decoupling said at least one balloon-to-restraint coupler from said at least one lift-resisting ground restraint, remains coupled to said lighter-than-air propulsion system by said at least one balloon-to-restraint coupler; and

k) wherein the at least one payload launches with said lighter-than-air propulsion system.

41. The stratospheric-visit system according claim 40:

a) wherein said payload system comprises a stratospheric-visit vehicle structured and arranged to transport multiple humans on the stratospheric visit; and

b) wherein said stratospheric-visit vehicle comprises

i) seating structured and arranged to serve the multiple humans,

ii) environmental control structured and arranged to serve the multiple humans during a multiple hour stratospheric visit, and

iii) visual access structured and arranged to provide the multiple humans with viewing of Earth.

42. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 40 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload;

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

43. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 42 wherein said distance separating means comprises anti-tangling means for assisting prevention of tangling of said coupling means with the at least one payload.

44. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 42 wherein said distance separating means comprises burble-confine penetrator means for assisting said parachute system to penetrate at least one burble confine during deployment of said parachute system.

45. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 40:

a) wherein at least portions of said environmental control system and said communication system comprise at least one equipment module;

b) wherein said at least one equipment module comprises a torso-coupling system structured and arranged to couple said at least one equipment module to a torso of the at least one human;

c) wherein said torso-coupling system comprises a rigid adapter structured and arranged to closely abut a front of the torso of the at least one human;

d) wherein said rigid adapter comprises at least one size adjuster structured and arranged to adjust dimensions of said rigid adapter to the front of the torso of the at least one human prior to launch;

e) wherein said rigid adapter further comprises at least one oxygen-supply mount structured and arranged to be attached to an oxygen supply; and

f) wherein the oxygen-supply is positionable to be transported along the front torso of the at least one human.

46. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 45 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload;

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

47. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 40 further comprising a parachute pre-deploying system structured and arranged to deploy, prior to the launch of the at least one payload, said parachute system.

48. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 47 wherein said parachute system comprises at least one parafoil.

49. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 47 wherein said parachute system comprises at least one drogue chute.

50. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 40 further comprising:

a) a payload ground-traversing system structured and arranged to assist traversing of at least the at least one human across the ground;

b) wherein said payload ground-traversing system comprises

i) a payload support system structured and arranged to support, during launch, at least the at least one human,

ii) wherein said payload support system comprises an injury-minimizing system structured and arranged to minimize injury, during launch, to at least the at least one human and at least one accompanying said environmental control system,

iii) wherein said injury-minimizing system comprises at least one configuration structured and arranged to conform to at least the at least one human and at least one accompanying said environmental control system,

iv) wherein said injury-minimizing system comprises at least one cushioning structured and arranged to cushion at least the at least one human and the at least one accompanying said environmental control system, and

v) wherein said payload support system comprises a motion direction system structured and arranged to move in both rotational and translational directions.

51. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 50 wherein said payload support system is further structured and arranged to be separated, during launch of the at least one payload, from the at least one payload.

52. A stratospheric-visit system, relating to a stratospheric visit using lighter-than-air travel, comprising:

a) a payload system structured and arranged to provide at least one payload including

i) at least one human, and

ii) at least one parachute system; and

b) a launch system structured and arranged to launch the at least one payload;

c) wherein said launch system comprises

i) a lighter-than-air propulsion system structured and arranged to lighter-than-air-propel the at least one payload,

ii) a tethering system structured and arranged to tether, initially to ground, said lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) an un-tethering system structured and arranged to un-tether, from the ground, said lighter-than-air propulsion system; and

d) an environmental control system structured and arranged to control, during the stratospheric visit, at least one human-life-support environment of the at least one human;

e) a travel control system structured and arranged to control, in the stratospheric visit, travel of the at least one payload;

f) a communication system structured and arranged to communicate within said stratospheric-visit system; and

g) a recovery system structured and arranged to recover at least the at least one human;

h) wherein said recovery system comprises

i) a separator system structured and arranged to perform separation of at least the at least one human from said lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) the parachute system structured and arranged to decelerate at least the at least one human after the separation of at least the at least one human from said lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) a landing system structured and arranged to assist landing of at least the at least one human; and

i) wherein at least portions of said environmental control system and said communication system comprise at least one equipment module;

j) wherein said at least one equipment module comprises a torso-coupling system structured and arranged to couple said at least one equipment module to a torso of the at least one human;

k) wherein said torso-coupling system comprises a rigid adapter structured and arranged to closely abut a front of the torso of the at least one human;

l) wherein said rigid adapter comprises at least one size adjuster structured and arranged to adjust dimensions of said rigid adapter to the front of the torso of the at least one human prior to launch;

m) wherein said rigid adapter further comprises at least one oxygen-supply mount structured and arranged to be attached to an oxygen supply; and

n) wherein the oxygen supply is positionable to be transported along the front torso of the at least one human.

53. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 52 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload;

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

54. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 53 wherein said distance separating means comprises anti-tangling means for assisting prevention of tangling of said coupling means with the at least one payload.

55. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 53 wherein said distance separating means comprises burble-confine penetrator means for assisting said parachute system to penetrate at least one burble confine during deployment of said parachute system.

56. A stratospheric-visit system, relating to a stratospheric visit using lighter-than-air travel, comprising:

a) a payload system structured and arranged to provide at least one payload including

i) at least one human, and

ii) at least one parachute system; and

b) a launch system structured and arranged to launch the at least one payload;

c) wherein said launch system comprises

i) a lighter-than-air propulsion system structured and arranged to lighter-than-air-propel the at least one payload,

ii) a tethering system structured and arranged to tether, initially to ground, said lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) an un-tethering system structured and arranged to un-tether, from the ground, said lighter-than-air propulsion system; and

d) an environmental control system structured and arranged to control, during the stratospheric visit, at least one human-life-support environment of the at least one human;

e) a travel control system structured and arranged to control, in the stratospheric visit, travel of the at least one payload;

f) a communication system structured and arranged to communicate within said stratospheric-visit system; and

g) a recovery system structured and arranged to recover at least the at least one human;

h) wherein said recovery system comprises

i) a separator system structured and arranged to perform separation of at least the at least one human from said lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) the parachute system structured and arranged to decelerate at least the at least one human after the separation of at least the at least one human from said lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) a landing system structured and arranged to assist landing of at least the at least one human; and

i) wherein said payload system comprises a stratospheric-visit vehicle structured and arranged to transport multiple humans on the stratospheric visit;

j) wherein said stratospheric-visit vehicle comprises

i) seating structured and arranged to serve the multiple humans,

ii) environmental control structured and arranged to serve the multiple humans during a multiple hour stratospheric visit, and

iii) visual access structured and arranged to provide the multiple humans with viewing of Earth.

57. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 56 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload;

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

58. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 57 wherein said distance separating means comprises anti-tangling means for assisting prevention of tangling of said coupling means with the at least one payload.

59. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 57 wherein said distance separating means comprises burble-confine penetrator means for assisting said parachute system to penetrate at least one burble confine during deployment of said parachute system.

60. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 56:

a) wherein at least portions of said environmental control system and said communication system comprise at least one equipment module;

b) wherein said at least one equipment module comprises a torso-coupling system structured and arranged to couple said at least one equipment module to a torso of the at least one human;

c) wherein said torso-coupling system comprises a rigid adapter structured and arranged to closely abut a front of the torso of the at least one human;

d) wherein said rigid adapter comprises at least one size adjuster structured and arranged to adjust dimensions of said rigid adapter to the front of the torso of the at least one human prior to launch;

e) wherein said rigid adapter further comprises at least one oxygen-supply mount structured and arranged to be attached to an oxygen supply; and

f) wherein the oxygen-supply is positionable to be transported along the front torso of the at least one human.

61. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 60 further comprising:

a) coupling means for coupling said parachute system within the at least one payload;

b) wherein said coupling means comprises distance separating means for distance-separating said parachute system from the at least one payload;

c) wherein said distance separating means comprises compressive-resistance control means for controlling compressive resistance of said distance separating means to assist the distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload; and

d) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

62. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 56 further comprising:

a) a payload ground-traversing system structured and arranged to assist traversing of at least the at least one human across the ground;

b) wherein said payload ground-traversing system comprises

i) a payload support system structured and arranged to support, during launch, at least the at least one human,

ii) wherein said payload support system comprises an injury-minimizing system structured and arranged to minimize injury, during launch, to at least the at least one human and at least one accompanying said environmental control system,

iii) wherein said injury-minimizing system comprises at least one configuration structured and arranged to conform to at least the at least one human and at least one accompanying said environmental control system,

iv) wherein said injury-minimizing system comprises at least one cushioning structured and arranged to cushion at least the at least one human and the at least one accompanying said environmental control system, and

v) wherein said payload support system comprises a motion direction system structured and arranged to move in both rotational and translational directions.

63. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 62 wherein said payload support system is further structured and arranged to be separated, during launch of the at least one payload, from the at least one payload.

64. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 56 further comprising a parachute pre-deploying system structured and arranged to deploy, prior to the launch of the at least one payload, said parachute system.

65. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 64 wherein said parachute system comprises at least one parafoil.

66. The stratospheric-visit system according to claim 64 wherein said parachute system comprises at least one drogue chute.

67. A stratospheric-visit method, relating to a stratospheric visit using lighter-than-air travel, comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one payload comprising

i) at least one human, and

ii) at least one parachute system;

b) launching the at least one payload;

c) wherein the step of launching comprises the steps of

i) lighter-than-air-propelling the at least one payload with a lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) tethering, initially to ground, the lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) un-tethering, from the ground, the lighter-than-air propulsion system;

d) controlling, during the stratospheric visit, at least one human life support environment of the at least one human;

e) controlling travel, in the stratospheric visit, of the at least one payload;

f) communicating, during the stratospheric visit, with the at least one payload; and

g) recovering the at least one human;

h) wherein the step of recovering comprises the steps of

i) performing separation of at least the at least one human from the lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) decelerating, with the at least one parachute system, at least the at least one human after the separation of at least the at least one human from the lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) landing of at least the at least one human; and

i) deploying, prior to the step of launching, the parachute system.

68. The stratospheric-visit method according to claim 67 wherein the parachute system comprises at least one parafoil system.

69. The stratospheric-visit method according to claim 67 wherein the parachute system comprises at least one drogue system.

70. A stratospheric-visit method, relating to a stratospheric visit using lighter-than-air travel, comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one payload comprising

i) at least one human, and

ii) at least one parachute system;

b) launching the at least one payload;

c) wherein the step of launching comprises the steps of

i) lighter-than-air-propelling the at least one payload with a lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) tethering, initially to ground, the lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) un-tethering, from the ground, the lighter-than-air propulsion system;

d) controlling, during the stratospheric visit, at least one human life support environment of the at least one human;

e) controlling travel, in the stratospheric visit, of the at least one payload;

f) communicating, during the stratospheric visit, with the at least one payload; and

g) recovering the at least one human;

h) wherein the step of recovering comprises the steps of

i) performing separation of at least the at least one human from the lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) decelerating, with the at least one parachute system, at least the at least one human after the separation of at least the at least one human from the lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) landing of at least the at least one human; and

i) coupling the parachute system within the at least one payload;

j) distance-separating the parachute system from the at least one payload; and

k) controlling compressive resistance of the distance separation of the parachute system from the at least one payload;

l) wherein controlling distance separation of said parachute system from the at least one payload is achieved.

71. The stratospheric-visit method according to claim 70 wherein the step of distance-separating comprises the step of assisting prevention of tangling of the parachute system with the at least one payload.

72. The stratospheric-visit method according to claim 70 wherein the step of distance-separating comprises the step of assisting the parachute system to penetrate at least one burble confine during deployment of the parachute system.

73. A stratospheric-visit method, relating to a stratospheric visit using lighter-than-air travel, comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one payload comprising

i) at least one human, and

ii) at least one parachute system;

b) launching the at least one payload;

c) wherein the step of launching comprises the steps of

i) lighter-than-air-propelling the at least one payload with a lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) tethering, initially to ground, the lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) un-tethering, from the ground, the lighter-than-air propulsion system;

d) controlling, during the stratospheric visit, at least one human life support environment of the at least one human;

e) controlling travel, in the stratospheric visit, of the at least one payload;

f) communicating, during the stratospheric visit, with the at least one payload; and

g) recovering the at least one human;

h) wherein the step of recovering comprises the steps of

i) performing separation of at least the at least one human from the lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) decelerating, with the at least one parachute system, at least the at least one human after the separation of at least the at least one human from the lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) landing of at least the at least one human; and

i) assisting traversing of at least the at least one human across the ground;

j) supporting, during launch, at least the at least one human;

k) wherein the step of supporting comprises the steps of

i) minimizing injury, during launch, to at least the at least one human and at least one accompanying human life support environment,

ii) conforming support to at least the at least one human and the at least one accompanying human life support environment,

iii) cushioning at least the at least one human and the at least one accompanying human life support environment, and

iv) permitting movement in both rotational and translational directions.

74. The stratospheric-visit method according to claim 73 further comprising the step of terminating the step of supporting, during launch of the at least one payload.

75. A stratospheric-visit method, relating to a stratospheric visit using lighter-than-air travel, comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one payload comprising

i) at least one human, and

ii) at least one parachute system;

b) launching the at least one payload;

c) wherein the step of launching comprises the steps of

i) lighter-than-air-propelling the at least one payload with a lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) tethering, initially to ground, the lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) un-tethering, from the ground, the lighter-than-air propulsion system;

d) controlling, during the stratospheric visit, at least one human life support environment of the at least one human;

e) controlling travel, in the stratospheric visit, of the at least one payload;

f) communicating, during the stratospheric visit, with the at least one payload; and

g) recovering the at least one human;

h) wherein the step of recovering comprises the steps of

i) performing separation of at least the at least one human from the lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) decelerating, with the at least one parachute system, at least the at least one human after the separation of at least the at least one human from the lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) landing of at least the at least one human; and

i) wherein the step of tethering comprises the steps of

i) coupling the lighter-than-air propulsion system to at least one lift-resisting ground restraint with at least one balloon-to-restraint coupler, and

ii) coupling the at least one payload to the at least one balloon-to-restraint coupler; and

j) wherein the step of un-tethering comprises the step of

i) decoupling the at least one balloon-to-restraint coupler from the at least one lift-resisting ground restraint,

ii) wherein the at least one payload, after the step of decoupling the at least one balloon-to-restraint coupler from the at least one lift-resisting ground restraint, remains coupled to the lighter-than-air propulsion system; and

k) wherein the at least one payload launches with the lighter-than-air propulsion system.

76. A stratospheric-visit method, relating to a stratospheric visit using lighter-than-air travel, comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one payload comprising

i) at least one human, and

ii) at least one parachute system;

b) launching the at least one payload;

c) wherein the step of launching comprises the steps of

i) lighter-than-air-propelling the at least one payload with a lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) tethering, initially to ground, the lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) un-tethering, from the ground, the lighter-than-air propulsion system;

d) controlling, during the stratospheric visit, at least one human life support environment of the at least one human;

e) controlling travel, in the stratospheric visit, of the at least one payload;

f) communicating, during the stratospheric visit, with the at least one payload; and

g) recovering the at least one human;

h) wherein the step of recovering comprises the steps of

i) performing separation of at least the at least one human from the lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) decelerating, with the at least one parachute system, at least the at least one human after the separation of at least the at least one human from the lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) landing of at least the at least one human; and

i) wherein the step of controlling at least one human life support environment comprises the steps of

i) coupling at least one equipment controller to a torso of the at least one human,

ii) providing a rigid adapter to closely abut a front of the torso of the at least one human,

iii) adjusting dimensions of the rigid adapter to fit the front of the torso of the at least one human prior to launch, and

iv) rigidly attaching a mount, to attach an oxygen supply, to the rigid adapter; and

j) wherein the oxygen supply is positionable to be transported along the front torso of the at least one human.

77. A stratospheric-visit method, relating to a stratospheric visit using lighter-than-air travel, comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one payload comprising

i) at least one human, and

ii) at least one parachute system;

b) launching the at least one payload;

c) wherein the step of launching comprises the steps of

i) lighter-than-air-propelling the at least one payload with a lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) tethering, initially to ground, the lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) un-tethering, from the ground, the lighter-than-air propulsion system;

d) controlling, during the stratospheric visit, at least one human life support environment of the at least one human;

e) controlling travel, in the stratospheric visit, of the at least one payload;

f) communicating, during the stratospheric visit, with the at least one payload; and

g) recovering the at least one human;

h) wherein the step of recovering comprises the steps of

i) performing separation of at least the at least one human from the lighter-than-air propulsion system,

ii) decelerating, with the at least one parachute system, at least the at least one human after the separation of at least the at least one human from the lighter-than-air propulsion system, and

iii) landing of at least the at least one human; and

i) providing a stratospheric-visit vehicle to transport multiple humans on the stratospheric visit;

j) wherein the step of providing the stratospheric-visit vehicle comprises the steps of

i) providing seating to serve the multiple humans,

ii) providing the at least one human life support environment to serve the multiple humans during a multiple hour stratospheric visit, and

iii) providing visual access to serve the multiple humans with viewing of Earth.