An aircraft comprising a hydrogen-containing envelope, a water-collection system for collecting water from the envelope, an electrolyser to convert the water collected using the water-collection system into hydrogen, and a hydrogen-replenishment system for replenishing the envelope with hydrogen generated using the electrolyser. In one embodiment, generated hydrogen is also supplied to a hydrogen-fueled propulsion system for propulsion of the aircraft.

A payload lift and positioning system mounted to an airship for precisely positioning a payload being lowered from the airship to the ground. The payload lift and positioning system includes a support beam structure mounted to an underside of the airship, the support beam structure including load hoists and guide cable hoists mounted thereto. A payload supporting structure to carry the payload, the payload supporting structure being connected to support beam structure by the load hoists and guide cable hoists. A guide cable system includes a plurality of guide cables, each extending from the guide cable hoists disposed on the support beam structure. A positioning system includes a guide member that is mounted on the payload supporting structure to control the position of the payload being lowered from the airship to ground.

A blimp includes a circular disk-shaped envelope filled with a lighter-than-air gas. A gondola is affixed to an underside of the envelope and is disposed at a region directly below a center point of the circle defined by the intersection of the envelope and the horizontal plane. The gondola includes: a horizontally-disposed elongated circuit board that functions as a structural member of the gondola; and a vertical member extending upwardly from the circuit board and having a top that is attached to the underside of the envelope. A thrusting mechanism is affixed to the gondola and is configured to generate thrust. An electronics suite is disposed on and electrically coupled to the circuit board and includes a blimp processor configured to generate control signals that control the thrusting mechanism. A battery is affixed to the gondola and provides power to the electronics suit and the thrusting mechanism.

A system for transporting hydrogen from where it can be economically made to where it is most needed using airships. Green technologies can be used to generate electricity near to the primary energy sources. This electricity can then be used to produce hydrogen directly from water. Hydrogen can be delivered using an airship in which the hydrogen gas can also be used for generating lift, providing propulsion energy and serving ancillary needs. The ship can be equipped with solar cells that generate electricity that can be used to make hydrogen from water, and can be used to power the ship's propulsion system.

A system for transporting hydrogen from where it can be economically made to where it is most needed using airships. Green technologies can be used to generate electricity near to the primary energy sources. This electricity can then be used to produce hydrogen directly from water. Hydrogen can be delivered using an airship in which the hydrogen gas can also be used for generating lift, providing propulsion energy and serving ancillary needs. The ship can be equipped with solar cells that generate electricity that can be used to make hydrogen from water, and can be used to power the ship's propulsion system.

A gas density control system for airships is provide. The system embodies a hybrid ballonet and low pressure gas storage tank combination for regulating the density and volume of the airship lift gas, wherein the ballonet is fluidly connected to the storage tank by a transfer hose. The base of the ballonet is also sealed along an exterior surface of the length curvilinear geometric shaped storage tank so that as the storage tank selectively rotates the ballonet either wraps or unwraps around the length, whereby the lift gas transfer to and from the storage tank to the ballonet, respectively. A transfer hose reel is provided to rotate with the storage tank so that as the ballonet wraps about the storage tank the transfer hose winds about the transfer hose reel, and vice versa. Thereby the system precisely adjusts the ballonet's volume, which in turn controls its lifting force.

A gas density control system for airships is provide. The system embodies a hybrid ballonet and low pressure gas storage tank combination for regulating the density and volume of the airship lift gas, wherein the ballonet is fluidly connected to the storage tank by a transfer hose. The base of the ballonet is also sealed along an exterior surface of the length curvilinear geometric shaped storage tank so that as the storage tank selectively rotates the ballonet either wraps or unwraps around the length, whereby the lift gas transfer to and from the storage tank to the ballonet, respectively. A transfer hose reel is provided to rotate with the storage tank so that as the ballonet wraps about the storage tank the transfer hose winds about the transfer hose reel, and vice versa. Thereby the system precisely adjusts the ballonet's volume, which in turn controls its lifting force.

A stratospheric airship includes a nonrigid balloon equipped with a solar generator arranged on the upper part of the nonrigid balloon intended to be illuminated in flight by the sun, the airship comprising: at least one device for managing the position of the centre of gravity of the airship; at least one device for stabilizing the attitude of the airship; and a module for the coupled control of the devices, configured to control the airship, when the speed of travel of the airship with respect to the surrounding air is below a first threshold (S1) and/or the temperature of the solar generator is above a second threshold (S2), in such a way that it rotates by substantially half a turn about its longitudinal axis (AL), so as to protect the solar generator from illumination by the sun.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for constructing an airship quickly and cost-effectively are described. In one embodiments, an airship structure may have a plurality of mainframes, each comprising interconnected pyramid structures. One of the pyramid structures may include an apex joint, four base joints, first connectors, and second connectors. The apex joint and base joints may each have slots configured for receiving connectors. The apex joint may have four apex-to-base slots and each base joint may have a base-to-apex slot and two base-to-base slots. Each of the first connectors may connect the apex joint to one of the four base joints using one of the apex-to-base slots of the apex joint and the base-to-apex slot of that base joint. Each of the second connectors may connect two of the four base joints using one of the base-to-base slots of each of the two base joints connected by that second connector.

The Heracles airship determines a new direction in airship construction by combining the buoyancy force and lifting force of a plane wing in its structure, thereby allowing the multiple increase of load-lifting capacity of the airship comparing to the known models while having comparable sizes.

The arrangement of solar panels on its upper semi-sphere provides energy independence, and time-unlimited remaining in flight makes it environmentally friendly.

It provides vertical ascending and landing, turning in a required direction, braking and maneuvering over a landing area on the ground and water.

In case of the emergency failure of the technical systems, safety systems are provided which allows using the airship for transporting large-tonnage loads and people.