10.1016/j.asr.2025.07.064">
 

Dynamics analysis of a Vacuum Lighter than Air Vehicle during descent

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-19-2025

Abstract

The Vacuum Lighter-than-Air Vehicle (VLTAV) was designed as an alternative to traditional Lighter-than-Air platforms, offering extended loiter time, increased payload capacity, and the potential to establish a floating network for a range of civil and military applications. To ensure reliable operation and mission effectiveness, it is essential to understand the dynamics characteristics of the VLTAV across various atmospheric environments. The VLTAV’s frame incorporates a celestial icosahedron geometry, providing structural efficiency and symmetry. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis is employed to assess the vehicle’s aerodynamic performance, focusing on drag coefficient estimation and its correlation with the Reynolds number. The aerodynamic characterization is then integrated into a comprehensive dynamics framework of VLTAV, encompassing the vehicle’s kinematics and dynamics, as well as atmospheric and gravitational models, to simulate its descent behavior in the atmospheres of Earth, Mars, and Venus, chosen for their contrasting atmospheric densities. Results indicate that Mars poses the most significant challenge due to its thin atmosphere, which reduces aerodynamic drag and results in higher descent velocities, especially when a payload is included. Conversely, Venus’s dense atmosphere provides highly favorable conditions, enabling the VLTAV to maintain altitude and operate effectively over a range of elevations. By adjusting payload mass, the VLTAV can be tuned to achieve specific float altitudes, making it a promising platform for scientific observation and extended aerial missions.

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Source Publication

Advances in Space Research (ISSN 0273-1177)

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