Around the world in 20 days—or 30—by solar- and hydrogen-powered airship? It’s a fantastic project—and not a fantastical one—that lies ahead of the Euro Airship team as it pursues the development and launch of the Solar Airship One. The French company intends to build and launch the innovative design in its quest toward a zero-emissions future.
The path to get there? By creating a rigid airship—that’s one in which a “double” envelope holds a cushion of air all around to maintain consistent pressure, and it’s encased by panels as opposed to being a flexible bag of gas. Supporting the primary envelope there is a rigid aluminum structure and inside of that are 15 helium envelopes. These independent envelopes are managed via software, taking into account changes driven by variables such as the weather.
