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Airship Inflated To Create Monster "Stratellite"
yoderman94 writes "A huge inflatable vehicle as long as a 23-floor skyscraper is tall has become the world's largest airship in its bid to serve as a stratospheric satellite, or 'stratellite,' according to its developers."
Once again...thank you "press" for giving us useless measurements... is it's max speed measured in units of cheetah velocity, its volume measured in swimming pools and its weight measured in automobiles?
"It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance." - Thomas Sowell
Here I was thinking it wasn't a real airship yet because it sounds like they have only filled the balloon, but not attached anything to the balloon yet.
At this point its just a balloon. It still needs its skin, engines, a compartment for pilot and or crew.
They have the air part down, now they just need the ship part.
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If you read the article, they kinda explain that it's the largest MODERN airship. IE, actually built and operational. It fully acknowledges that airships "back in the day" were much larger.
Also, propulsion and power storage are not likely included in that 2,000 lb capacity. Aircraft specs typically state a "useful load" figure, which is what it can typically carry with it's own required weight taken off of the max gross weight.
"People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
from TFA
But even the modern record-holder for size dwindles in comparison to airships back in their heyday, such as the 804-foot (245 m) Hindenberg.
There must be some strange use of the word "largest" that I don't understand
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"Our airships are radically different designs that move beyond the performance limitations of traditional blimps or zeppelins by combining advanced technology with simple construction and the ability to fuel with algae, protecting our environment"
Fueling with algae protects the environment as much as buying a Prius. Alternative fuels do not protect the environment, they only reduce the damage slightly.
It's also clearly not a satellite, as it won't actually be in orbit.
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No. Unless you have a smart ass that wants to get technical on you.
It's additionally about the same length as a 747. While saying "the length of a 23 story skyscraper" sounds impressive, it's quite a common thing to have in the sky.
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