how does it get relaunched when it falls to the ground?
I'm guessing: the same way you'd launch a regular kite: by starting with it off the ground and slowly letting out the line. Possibly the propellors can be switched from generators to motors if it needs an extra boost.
A balloon would lose too much in drag. If they can actually solve the software problem to get these things up and flying autonomously, it'd be pretty darn effective.
Comments
how does it get relaunched when it falls to the ground?
I'm guessing: the same way you'd launch a regular kite: by starting with it off the ground and slowly letting out the line. Possibly the propellors can be switched from generators to motors if it needs an extra boost.
A balloon would lose too much in drag. If they can actually solve the software problem to get these things up and flying autonomously, it'd be pretty darn effective.
Why guess when the answer is clear on the second frame of http://www.makanipower.com/concept/makani-m1/ ?
I thought the drag could be beneficial in a way similar to wave power generators: pull on the balloon would operate a hydraulic piston, etc.