UK Large Balloon Sourcing

[Duncan Menzies]

Hi All,

I am looking for a 4kg balloon for a HAB launch to take place next month. I know the likes of kaymont.com have these, but does anyone know of any UK based suppliers/shops for large helium balloons for HABs - at a push I could use a 3kg one.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Duncan

[Steve]

Hi Duncan - I sell balloons - but covid has knocked sales, the bigger balloons sell less frequently and the shelf life of balloons is such its currently not worthwhile stocking the larger sizes of balloons.

Can I ask a question - why do you think you need a 4Kg or 3Kg balloon?  If its to get high with a small payload that's unlikely to happen - the big balloons seemed 'tuned' for heavy payloads (IMO).  If its to lift a heavy payload (beyond SERA Light classification) then Its going to be complex to get a permit in the UK.

A HY-1600 balloon is likely to lift a modest payload higher than most 3Kg or 4Kg balloons.

The only 4Kg balloon I'm aware of is the ToTex TA-4000 (sold by Kaymont under HAB or KCI designation) this is fairly expensive - kiss goodby to the best part of a grand once you have paid currency conversions, import duty, VAT and transport.  As far as I'm aware Random Engineering is the only UK outlet of ToTex Balloons - there is also a European stockiest - but (I might be doing them an injustice) I doubt that they will have stock of the TA-4000.  In fact IMO worldwide Kaymont is the only distributor likely to have stock f the TA-4000 (and then only sometimes). 

Hwoyee sell the NSL-40 and NSL-45 - these are a balloon inside a balloon design and as a result overall weight varies significantly - but the NSL-40 has an overall weight of between 3000-4000g and the NSL-45 between 6000-8000g.  If you interested in these balloons please contact.

Kind Regards

    Steve

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[Duncan Menzies]

Hi Steve,

Thanks alot for your detailed reply.

Our payload should be around the 1500g mark, certainly less than 2000g. The problem is our launch site is in Shetland, and we are using a boat for recovery which has a limited retrieval range of ~50 miles. This therefore requires quite a high ascent rate - greater than 10 m/s - which puts a much more suitable, and cheaper (!), balloon out of the question. We are reluctant at using a 4kg balloon (as you said, the cost is very, very high), but feel that this may be our only option - unless the winds in Shetland are very low, and with it being Scotland in autumn/winter it is close to unpredictable!

Do you have a link for the Hwoyee balloons? I can email you if you prefer.

Regards,

Duncan

[Steve]

Thanks Duncan -  10m/sec - gee.  I will contact you off list.

    Steve

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[Steve]

Hi   Duncan,

    This might be worth a phone call to discuss the details (phone details below).  I have significant experience with met balloons, have launched over 200 over the last 15 years up to and including the 8Kg N-SL45 and payload approaching 6Kg  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1z3z2S18Co&feature=youtu.be

You can find data on the Hwoyee NSL-Range here http://www.hwoyee.com/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=lists&catid=20

The main issue with trying to achieve 10m/sec ascent rate will be the huge amount of gas you will need (18 - 20 cu m), the difficulty in filling and launching (10 - 11ft diameter balloon) and the significantly lower burst altitude.

When do you need the balloon by?

    Steve

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Random Engineering Ltd
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On 14/09/2020 16:57, Duncan Menzies wrote:

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ukhas/83db28ff-736a-463d-935f-9304c6eaec7an%40googlegroups.com.