The document describes 10 innovative uses for gas balloons: 1) Surveillance aerostats are fitted with equipment for security and monitoring in India. 2) Cargo transport airships have a larger capacity than Boeing 747s. 3) "Satelloons" or satellite balloons can orbit 1000 miles above Earth to provide communication networks. 4) Balloons provide controllable lighting in film sets where other methods can't reach. 5) Aerostats create giant projector screens for events. 6) Search and rescue helikites transmit video for emergency crews. 7) Balloons refloat sunken vessels. 8) RedBull used a high altitude balloon to break the sound barrier during a skydive.

1. The 10 Most Amazing Uses
for Gas Balloons

2. Surveillance Aerostat
Fitted with electronic and communication intelligence equipment, radar
and thermal imaging for security in India.
Image from DRDO, Defence Research & Development Organisation
http://www.drdo.gov.in/

3. Cargo Transport
Combined with vertical take off and landing, this airship has a bigger
cargo capacity than a Boeing 747.
Image from Aeroscraft
http://aeroscraft.com/

4. “Satelloons” or Satellite Balloons
Orbiting 1000 miles above earth, Echo 1 was the first communication satellite, launched in 1960.
Google plans to use balloons to fill networks gaps, floating at just 12 miles up.
Image from NASA
http://www.nasa.gov/
Image from Google
http://www.google.com/loon/

5. Film Set Lighting
Placing lights where gantries and scaffolding can’t reach, these balloons
provide controllable wide area lighting.
Image from Airstar
http://www.airstar.com.au/

6. Giant Projector Screen
The Lindstrand Technologies aerostat inside the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium for
the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
Image from Lindstrand Technologies
http://www.lindstrandtech.com/

7. Search and Rescue
Towable behind a car, boat or other vehicle, the A300 helikite sends live video
wirelessly in HD or thermal to ground crew and remote command posts.
Image from Search Systems
http://www.searchsystems.eu

8. Salvage
Refloating cars, boats and sunken vessels, the Subsalve flotation bags bring
large items to the surface at a controlled speed.
Image from Subsalve USA
http://www.subsalve.com/

9. Deploying a Man from Space
RedBull used a high altitude balloon with a space capsule underneath to break
the sound barrier during freefall on the pilots’ return jump from space.
Image from RedBull
http://www.redbullstratos.com/

10. Temporary CCTV
An aerostat attached to a vehicle provides CCTV at an agricultural show where
cameras and power lines cannot be permanently installed.
Image from Search Systems
http://www.searchsystems.eu

11. Flying Wind Turbine
The Bouyant Airborne Turbine is a flying wind turbine, filled with helium gas
and tethered to a control system with power conditioning equipment.
Image from Altaeros energies
http://www.altaerosenergies.com/