A method of repairing an airship hull of an airship during flight and while the airship is untethered from the ground comprises detecting a breach in a gas barrier bordering an interior volume of the airship, the airship containing a lifting gas wherein the hull of the airship comprises an electrically conductive material and wherein the breach in the gas barrier is detected by detecting changes in an electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive material.

A method of repairing an airship hull of an airship during flight and while the airship is untethered from the ground comprises detecting a breach in a gas barrier bordering an interior volume of the airship, the airship containing a lifting gas wherein the hull of the airship comprises an electrically conductive material and wherein the breach in the gas barrier is detected by detecting changes in an electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive material.

Technology for satellite-based content delivery network (CDN) is described. The satellite-based CDN uses a network architecture to provide global high-speed Internet service from above the sky through various aircrafts such as high-altitude airships, satellites, space stations, and eventually the lunar data centers by taking into consideration of the technology advancements in the RF and optical wireless communications. The satellite-based CDN provides content delivery over data networks, aviation, data storage, and edge caching. The satellite-based CDN supports both the delay-sensitive traffic such as interactive services, voice calls, and video calls that consume medium to low data bandwidth, and the more delay-tolerant but high bandwidth Internet content items such as streaming and background services (e.g. email, FTP). The satellite-based CDN can also support highly time sensitive applications that require near real-time responses such as professional gaming in selected areas covered by the high-altitude airships.

This disclosure relates to a system that provides an environmentally friendly method to clean air over towns and cities. The system utilizes tourmaline filters and rocks, sunlight, and water to simulate the cleaning properties of waterfalls in order to create an ionized surface within a cylindrical tube and creates raindrops and mist to simulate precipitation. The system eliminates pollutants instead of transferring them to the surrounding environment.

This disclosure relates to a system that provides an environmentally friendly method to clean air over towns and cities. The system utilizes tourmaline filters and rocks, sunlight, and water to simulate the cleaning properties of waterfalls in order to create an ionized surface within a cylindrical tube and creates raindrops and mist to simulate precipitation. The system eliminates pollutants instead of transferring them to the surrounding environment.

A portable launch rig (PLR) may include a support structure including two side supports defining an interior space for lifting and filling a balloon envelope of a balloon. Wheels on each of the side supports enable the PLR to be moved in various directions in order to prepare the PLR for launching the balloon. The side supports are connected by a lateral support beam having a pair of cranes arranged thereon. Each crane has an arm arranged over the interior space that is connected to a spreader beam. The spreader beam includes a lift assembly configured to lift and inflate the balloon envelope within the interior space. The PLR includes a platform and perch for supporting and moving the balloon envelope. A door assembly of the PLR includes a plurality of hangar doors configured to block wind from a respective direction of each hangar door entering the interior space.

Example methods and systems for determining when to launch vehicles into a fleet of autonomous vehicles are described. A method comprises receiving a sequence of coverage requirements for a region over a period of time. The region may be characterized by landmarks and the period of time can be divided into time intervals. The method also includes defining a landmark as a launch site representative of a landmark at which a given vehicle can be added to a plurality of operating vehicles, and determining for a respective landmark, estimated landmarks that can be reached by a vehicle starting from the respective landmark by an end of a time interval. The method also includes based on the sequence of coverage requirements and the estimated landmarks, determining a given launch site and corresponding time interval at which to add the given vehicle to the plurality of operating vehicles.

Described is an airborne fulfillment center (AFC) and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to deliver items from the AFC to users. For example, the AFC may be an airship that remains at a high altitude (e.g., 45,000 feet) and UAVs with ordered items may be deployed from the AFC to deliver ordered items to user designated delivery locations. As the UAVs descend, they can navigate horizontally toward a user specified delivery location using little to no power, other than to stabilize the UAV and/or guide the direction of descent. Shuttles (smaller airships) may be used to replenish the AFC with inventory, UAVs, supplies, fuel, etc. Likewise, the shuttles may be utilized to transport workers to and from the AFC.

Described is an airborne fulfillment center (AFC) and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to deliver items from the AFC to users. For example, the AFC may be an airship that remains at a high altitude (e.g., 45,000 feet) and UAVs with ordered items may be deployed from the AFC to deliver ordered items to user designated delivery locations. As the UAVs descend, they can navigate horizontally toward a user specified delivery location using little to no power, other than to stabilize the UAV and/or guide the direction of descent. Shuttles (smaller airships) may be used to replenish the AFC with inventory, UAVs, supplies, fuel, etc. Likewise, the shuttles may be utilized to transport workers to and from the AFC.

A solar cell assembly and an aerostat are disclosed. The solar cell assembly includes: a flexible base plate; and a plurality of rigid solar cells that are connected in series by using a conducting wire and that are disposed on a surface of the flexible base plate. According to the solar cell assembly provided in the present invention, the rigid solar cells are disposed on the flexible base plate. Therefore, the entire solar cell assembly can bend freely under specific pressure. The rigid solar cells do not bend as the entire device bends, thereby protecting the rigid solar cells from damage and implementing application of the rigid solar cells on a non-planar structure. A structure is simple, optical-to-electrical conversion efficiency is high, flexibility is achieved, and lamination is strong.