An Aerobot Balloon for Titan's Dense Atmosphere: Envelope Volume, Lift and Propulsion Sizing

This study sizes the Titan surface system named in its title for operation in the Titan surface environment, and reports the result as SIMULATED, NOT MEASURED. The design is developed from stated physical relations and a shared environmental basis, and every performance figure is computed by the deposited script rather than asserted. Among the computed results are net lift per cubic metre of envelope of 4.82 kilograms per cubic metre, envelope volume of 26.7 cubic metres, envelope equivalent diameter of 3.7 metres. Mass and power budgets are assembled from components so that they can be audited, off-design behaviour and materials uncertainty are discussed openly, and the limits of the sizing are stated in full. The aerobot is a civilian atmospheric science platform carrying cameras and atmospheric instruments; it is a robotic research balloon with no application beyond peaceful exploration and weather observation.