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Labeled diagram of a hot air balloon showing key components: the colorful envelope with gores, parachute valve at the top, skirt at the base, burners and wind guard above the woven basket where passengers ride.
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gore

balloon component
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Labeled diagram of a hot air balloon showing key components: the colorful envelope with gores, parachute valve at the top, skirt at the base, burners and wind guard above the woven basket where passengers ride.
Hot-air balloon Basic components of a hot-air balloon.

A gore is a fabric section or panel used in the construction of a balloon's envelope. These gores can be cut straight or on the bias (diagonally). Using bias-cut materials allows for greater stretch, providing natural flexibility to the balloon's structure. Some designs incorporate bulbous gores, which further enhance flexibility by gathering individual panels. This design reduces stress on the envelope fabric due to a smaller effective radius of curvature. Load tapes, known as tensors, are often sewn into the seams to carry the balloon's load, ensuring structural integrity and preventing catastrophic failure.1

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. balloon flight - Envelope design
  2. balloon flight - Elements of balloon flight

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