There is a NASA program that's investigating an airplane that would fly on Mars -- http://marsairplane.larc.nasa.gov/ . The Mars atmospheric pressure is similar to that at 100,000 feet on Earth. Weather balloons routinely fly up to 100,000 feet and higher, so it's conceivable that a balloon could fly in the Martian atmosphere. However, a balloon would have to be very large to lift a substantial amount of weight. I think it's around 100 cubic meters per kilogram at 100,000 feet on Earth. It would be slightly less on Mars because of the lower gravity.
For the truly "curious" here are two videos of the landing system tests. The first is in a lab, the second is real "world" testing in the Mojave. I don't think they would send it if they hadn't tested it
... The Mars atmospheric pressure is similar to that at 100,000 feet on Earth. Weather balloons routinely fly up to 100,000 feet and higher, so it's conceivable that a balloon could fly in the Martian atmosphere. ....
What would happen to a large balloon coming in to the atmosphere from space? Would it burn up same as a meteor or could it be made to skip and roll around on the outer atmosphere for a while?
wow, this is great... a rover, and a Mars jet.... we just need a Maitenace Stations for the Mars Robot... although it would be a heavy piecr of equipment it can be specific to a job;.... one for machining, one for storage, one earth science, one for refueling, one for melting all the scrap alloy used for the crash cushion in the landing... if crash landing is used.......
What would happen to a large balloon coming in to the atmosphere from space? Would it burn up same as a meteor or could it be made to skip and roll around on the outer atmosphere for a while?
The balloon would have to be inflated after the spacecraft was slowed down to about 10 MPH, first by parachute, and then by a rocket. It probably wouldn't make sense for landing, but it might be useful to deploy after landing for atmospheric studies and aerial surveillance.
What would happen to a large balloon coming in to the atmosphere from space? Would it burn up same as a meteor or could it be made to skip and roll around on the outer atmosphere for a while?
A big problem is the size of envelope that would be required. For a 1000kg payload the balloon would need to be almost 70,000 cubic meters (about 150ft diameter) - and that's at ground level. Up high in the atmosphere it be would much larger. An envelope of that size (~ 30,000 yards of material) durable enough to survive reentry is going to weigh a bit.
Comments
Why not just worry about landing and apply a self cleaning design from the very beginning?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YasCQRAWRwU
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/18282924
What would happen to a large balloon coming in to the atmosphere from space? Would it burn up same as a meteor or could it be made to skip and roll around on the outer atmosphere for a while?
yeah I'm wishfull thinking, again...
These Science guys have all the fun...
A big problem is the size of envelope that would be required. For a 1000kg payload the balloon would need to be almost 70,000 cubic meters (about 150ft diameter) - and that's at ground level. Up high in the atmosphere it be would much larger. An envelope of that size (~ 30,000 yards of material) durable enough to survive reentry is going to weigh a bit.
It is roughly twice as heavy.
Curiosity
Viking