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Large, Slow Airships Could Move Buildings

Posted by Soulskill on from the buncha-hot-air dept.

Algorithmnast writes "The Economist has a short article on using big, slow-moving airships to move large objects without the need to dismantle them. The company mentioned, Skylifter, refers to the lifting ship as an 'aerial crane,' not a Thor weapon. It could easily help move research labs to new parts of the Antarctic, or allow a Solar Tower to be inserted into an area that's difficult to drive to, such as a mesa in New Mexico."

7 of 184 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Absolutely Terrible Idea by confused+one · · Score: 2, Informative

    buildings are picked up from the bottom, using steel beams run through & under the foundation.

  2. Re:Helium by MagicM · · Score: 5, Informative

    "to lift 1000 grams (1 kg), you need about 163 grams (~0.16 kg) of helium"
    150 tons = 150,000 kg
    150,000 * 163 = 24,450,000 grams of helium needed
    24,450,000 grams of helium = 137,000 cubic meters
    "A billion cubic metres - or about half of the world's reserves"
    2 billion / 137,000 = 14,598.5

    14,598.5 airships before we run out of the current reserves. I think we're good. (Except for that last half airship, it'll be kinda screwed.)

  3. Re:Get the puns out of the way by smooth+wombat · · Score: 2, Informative

    It will go over like a lead balloon.

    You can no longer use that phrase as the MythBusters showed you can make a balloon out of lead and have it float.

    I prefer to use the phrase, "It will go over like a granite balloon."

    --
    We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
  4. Has been done before - and failed spectacularly. by Wdi · · Score: 4, Informative

    Remember Cargo Lifter?

    One of the most spectacular failures during the wild technology startup stampede a decade ago in Germany. They burned several hundred millions before folding.

    The only remaining legacy is a huge indoor pool in their former airship hangar...

  5. Re:Is the company called ACME? by Draconi · · Score: 3, Informative

    Wile E. Coyote? Road Runner? A high speed pest?

    Giant building sized anvil dropped from excessive heights courtesy an ACME Skylifter?

    The joke - it is now explained

  6. Re:Yeah, I saw that movie too. by PinkyGigglebrain · · Score: 3, Informative

    Squirrel!!

  7. Re:Thermite paint by Lotana · · Score: 2, Informative

    Hindenburg paint as the cause of the disaster is a myth that has been debunked but alas still persists.

    This is a good page I found with a quick Google search. Follow the links inside for in-detail information and maybe hopefully we can put this to rest.

    http://www.airships.net/hindenburg-paint/