May 2, 2002

Aeros Delivers Scientific Aerostat to Canadian Customer:

On March 26, 2002 a new Aeros Aerostat was launched in a remote area of South Central British Columbia, Canada. The aerostat is the first proof of concept vehicle for the Canadian team that is designing a square kilometer array (SKA), large steerable radio telescope. In the future, the one-third scale model, 18 - meter aerostat will be replaced by a much larger aerostat that will carry and hold the telescope's receiver 500 meters above the collection surface.

The three point computer controlled tethering arrangements will make it possible to keep the receiver within tolerable limits in all but the most sever winds.

The aerostat's need for high visibility led to the choice of the international orange color. The ballonet is charged by positive air induction from electrical blowers. A sophisticated telemetry system has been added to the aerostat so that all control information can be viewed and recorded from the base station.

Information on the Large Adaptive Telescope Project can be found at http://www.drao.nrc.ca/science/ska/