Posts by dpb

LOHAN's fantastical flying truss sprouts tail

Kite style tail?

Seems to be a lot of comments against a vane/fixed tail. Just wondered if a kite (string based) tail might work better for stability? I've no idea - it is genuinely a question.

I guess it would slow the ascent slightly and could make LOHAN travel more distance away from the launch site as the wind carries it.

LOHAN to straddle meaty titanium rod

tail on the truss?

To reduce potential spin of the truss as it is suspended under the balloon why not add a tail? It won't stop all the sipn, but might at least reduce it.

I know nothing of aerodynamics etc, so this may be a silly idea. I'm sure others will tell me. Also the extra weight may be prohibitive, and I'm not even sure that there would be any spin problem. But hey.

titanium rod mount

The mount between the titanium rod and the aluminium plate will have to be pretty impressive to maintain the parallel line - you'll probably need a second point a bit back behind that plate.

Other than that looks good to me.