What is it about?
Due to the rise in popularity of sky lantern, research is required to determine the public-safety risk level and its variation as both awareness and usage increase. This work is a part of the research project to quantify the risk of very low level operational airspace impact and potential ground-fire posed by sky lanterns.
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Why is it important?
The discussion related to sky lantern safety has been done on the basis of 'best guess' not data. Some information and assumptions are being made onwhich rules and regulations are imposed by governments. The sky lantern performance has not been looked at and the basis for many rules and regulations are not substantiated by data.
Perspectives
When it comes to romance, few spectacles can compete with a swarm of gently floating sky lanterns. They are especially popular on New Year’s Eve. Michiel Schuurman is also mesmerized by the sight. But as assistant professor in the Structural Integrity and Composites Group and as an instructor of the Forensic Engineering course he also sees the risks. Schuurman: “According to our measurements they reach much higher altitudes than allowed. They can even reach altitudes aircraft fly. And there is the risk of wildfires.” He and his colleague Derek Gransden performed experiments to model these risks. It can help authorities in evaluating existing sky lantern legislation.
Assistant Professor Michiel Schuurman
Technische Universiteit Delft
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Sky Lantern Safety Flight Profile for Risk Assessment, June 2017, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA),
DOI: 10.2514/6.2017-3289.
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