Aerospace balloon system and method of operation

Abstract

A balloon system including a balloon, and optionally including a payload and/or a safety module. A balloon, preferably including a balloon envelope and one or more passive vents, and optionally including one or more active valves. A method of balloon system operation, preferably including maintaining a zero-pressure balloon condition and sealing balloon vents, and optionally including ascending, descending, and/or otherwise operating the balloon system in flight.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a balloon comprising a surface, the balloon defining: a balloon apex, a balloon interior within the surface, and a balloon exterior outside the surface;   a first valve arranged proximal to the balloon apex at the surface, the first valve operable to controllably fluidly couple the balloon interior to the balloon exterior;   a passive vent arranged at the surface of the balloon, the passive vent operable to passively transition from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein:
 in the first configuration, the balloon interior is fluidly coupled to the balloon exterior via the passive vent and the passive vent is configured to passively maintain a substantially zero-pressure condition within the balloon; and 
 in the second configuration, the passive vent is substantially sealed.