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Boeing-Skyhook Airship Faces Technical Challenges

Posted by kdawson on from the puling-its-own-weight dept.

waderoush writes "Since the Hindenburg disaster, dreams of giant airships capable of lifting heavy cargo have been restricted mainly to Popular Science covers (with the notable exception of the Cargolifter AG failure) — until Boeing and a Canadian company called Skyhook announced on July 8 that they're building a 300-foot-long, helium-filled craft that will lift loads of up to 40 tons and carry them 200 miles. But an aeronautical engineer at the University of Washington cautions that there are still some big problems to be worked out with mega-airships, including their stability in turbulent weather."

11 of 185 comments (clear)

  1. Oblig. Simpsons by name*censored* · · Score: 4, Funny

    Wow, it seems we're coming full circle with air travel..

    "I'd like to send this letter to the Prussian consulate in Siam by aeromail. Am I too late for the 4:30 autogiro?"

    --
    Commodore64_love: I don't comprehend people who're so frightened of death that they'll bankrupt themselves to stay alive
    1. Re:Oblig. Simpsons by drinkypoo · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'm also reminded of numerous crashes which happen quite close to the ground

      Most crashes happen quite close to the ground, with the exception of midair crashes, which are comparatively rare.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    2. Re:Oblig. Simpsons by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Actually,
      The greatest loss of passenger life in a aviation history happened when a Cessna 152 crashed over a cemetery in Poland in 1982. To this day, they are STILL recovering bodies.

  2. Re:IF it works by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    The price of helium ain't nothin' compared to the way the oil market is behaving.

    Good thing, too. It would be tough to invade the sun.

  3. I can fix that one ... by ScrewMaster · · Score: 4, Funny

    But an aeronautical engineer at the University of Washington cautions that there are still some big problems to be worked out with mega-airships, including their stability in turbulent weather.

    Well, duh. Don't fly them in a storm them. Geez, do these guys need to have everything explained to them?

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  4. Re:Obligatory Hindenberg reference by ScrewMaster · · Score: 2, Funny

    He != H

    It does if He says it does.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  5. Re:Border control by Pogue+Mahone · · Score: 2, Funny

    They're full of helium, man. Even if you manage to set fire to one, it'll crash and go out

    --
    Every bloody emperor has his hand up history's skirt [Peter Hammill/VdGG]
  6. Re:IF it works by Oktober+Sunset · · Score: 4, Funny

    pffftt. Helium is for wimps. Have some balls and use hydrogen.

    --
    What if Tetris was invented by Nazis?
  7. Re:Obligatory Hindenberg reference by Kozz · · Score: 3, Funny

    Did you post a Hindenburg link expressly with the intention of garnering a "Flamebait" mod?

    Genius!

    --
    I only post comments when someone on the internet is wrong.
  8. What do you expect... by slimjim8094 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Of course there would be problems with an airship based on skyhooks.

    Jeez

    --
    I have developed a truly marvelous proof of this comment, which this signature is too narrow to contain.
  9. Re:200 miles? by chenjeru · · Score: 3, Funny

    Those who would sacrifice cargo space for a little extended range deserve neither cargo space nor range... wait, sorry.

    --
    Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there. - Will Rogers