A device for deploying an aerostat includes a cylindrical shaped container
having an open end and a closed end and a center tube axially oriented in
the container. A tapered disc is mounted for axial movement on the center
tube, and it has a taper of increasing diameter in an axial direction
from the closed end toward the open end of the container. In its
operation, the tapered disc is held in a first position while a portion
of the aerostat is loaded into the container. It is then moved to a
second position wherein the tapered disc holds the loaded portion of the
aerostat in the container. Thereafter, the disc is moved to a release
position wherein the disc directs deployment of the aerostat from the
container.