The biggest change is a last minute
replacement of co-pilot Tony Brown by Brian Jones. Brown and Piccard had
difference of opinion in the area of crew resource management. It was agreed
that Brown would step down.by Tom Hamilton
Breitling Orbiter has gone through many changes, both in equipment and personnel since the first flight attempt two years ago. Only Bertrand Piccard from Switzerland remains from the original flight crew.
One of the biggest changes for this year is a new capsule. The became necessary when the decision was made to abandon kerosene as a fuel source and go with propane. Kerosene could be stored in the keel of capsule, propane cylinders increased the volume, weight, and placement. 28 titanium containers have been placed on the outside of the capsule.
The kevlar and carbon fiber fuselage of the capsule is identical to that of previous versions, particularly in terms of size, measuring 5.40 meters long and 2.85 meters high.
There have been few changes inside. The area arranged for the three crew members of Breitling Orbiter 2 retains the same features, except that it will house only two pilots. The relative additional space will be welcome if one considers that the flight could last 21 days.
The equipment remains fairly rudimentary: a 12V water-heater in the kitchen area, a toilet at the back and a bunk for pilots rest periods.
The task of the experts assigned by Breitling aimed to improve the balloons efficiency and consequently its flight autonomy. The main problem observed during the Breitling Orbiter 2 flight was the large consumption of kerosene, as the burners were brought into use at night to maintain altitude.
The most significant development towards mitigating thermal differences on the helium mass involved the actual shape of the balloon. Laboratory simulations of temperature variations enabled them to clearly determine that, although the initial shape of the balloon was fundamentally correct, slight modifications would make it possible to significantly improve efficiency.
The total volume of the helium cell now stands at 650,000 cubic feet, meaning 15% more than that of Breitling Orbiter 2. It has been reinforcedbut without being made heavierand the "tent" which insulates the peak has also been enlarged to diminish the effect of solar radiation.
The size of the cone of the envelope has been proportionately reduced, compared with the envelopes previously used, in order to diminish the volume of air to be heatedmeaning less need of propane gasand secondarily to avoid needless accumulation of solar radiation by day and lessen heat loss at night.
Another modification is that the appendices serving to evacuate surplus helium, which formerly hung down the sides, are now held tightly against the envelope, while a larger area of the lower part of the cone is now fireproofed.
Life on board the capsule deserves careful preparation, as two people may have to spend up to 21 days together within a limited space. In addition to the mental preparation of pilots, both of whom are familiar with sophrology techniques, on-board organization calls for six-hour shifts at the controls, so as to ensure that each crew member pilots for part of the night. Both pilots need to be active during specific piloting phases, should any problem arise, or in case of difficulties in communicating with air traffic control centers being overflown.
The pilots are dressed in insulating synthetic fiber clothes with microfibers or "fleece" fibers suitable for the inside temperature of 15·C. When it is time to sleep, crew members remove some of their clothes before getting into the sleeping bag. The isothermal survival suit is donned only if there is a threat of bad weather or if a system failure has occurred.
Food on board is made up of "fresh" items for the first six to seven days, meaning bread, margarine, honey, cheese, cereals and powdered milk, reheated vegetables and pre-cooked steaks. After that, pilots make do with dried food. In all, they take over 200 liters of water with them.
The biggest change is a last minute
replacement of co-pilot Tony Brown by Brian Jones. Brown and Piccard had
difference of opinion in the area of crew resource management. It was agreed
that Brown would step down.
Jones has been closed associated with the project and has been responsible for the construction of the gondola and of the flight systems.
Jones, 51, a native of Bristol, England, is married, father of two and has three grandchildren.
He joins Bertrand Piccard,
40, married and has three daughters. In 1992 he won the Chrysler Transatlantic
Challenge with team mate and original Orbiter co-pilot, Wim Verstraeten.
The biggest challenge facing this team is their takeoff spot. From Chateau d'Oex they can not get into the jet stream, but must fly south to intercept it. This places an extra burden on the attempt.
