A buoyant aerial vehicle includes: a balloon configured to store a gas; a payload coupled to the balloon; and a propulsion unit coupled to the payload by a tether. The propulsion unit includes: a fuselage having a substantially longitudinal shape, a first end, and a second end; a primary airfoil coupled to the fuselage; a secondary airfoil coupled to the fuselage at one of the first end or the second end; and a thrust generating device disposed at one of the first end or the second end and configured to move the propulsion unit relative to the payload along a propulsion flight path. The movement of the propulsion unit imparts movement of the buoyant aerial vehicle along a vehicle flight path.

An intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system is disclosed including a ground station and one or more aerial vehicles. The aerial vehicles are autonomous systems capable of communicating intelligence data to the ground station and be used as part of a missile delivery package. A plurality of aerial vehicles can be configured to cast a wide net of reconnaissance over a large area on the ground including smaller overlapping reconnaissance areas provided by each of the plurality of the aerial vehicles.

An intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system is disclosed including a ground station and one or more aerial vehicles. The aerial vehicles are autonomous systems capable of communicating intelligence data to the ground station and be used as part of a missile delivery package. A plurality of aerial vehicles can be configured to cast a wide net of reconnaissance over a large area on the ground including smaller overlapping reconnaissance areas provided by each of the plurality of the aerial vehicles.

Aspects of the technology relate to rotational electromechanical systems, in which data and or power are supplied to components while one part of the system is rotating relative to another part of the system. Repeated rotation may create strain on or otherwise cause the cables to intermittently or permanently fail. A helical cable management system is provided that enables full rotation to the extent permitted. One or more cables are wound in a helical shape around the axis of rotation, which distributes the deformation of the cable along the helical length. Rotation in one direction causes the helix diameter to increase, while rotation in the other direction causes the helix diameter to decrease. A structure is used to maintain the distance between helical turns, while permitting the increase and decrease of the helix diameter. This reduces the overall strain on the cables, which can significantly extend their useful lifetime.

A blockchain mining platform that comprises an airship utilizing an innovative lift mechanism featuring dynamic and static vacuum chambers. Solar panels power the vast array of computers required for efficient and cost effective blockchain mining. Internet connectivity would be accomplished by communication with satellites or by microwave transmission to ground station. In alternate modes, different types of airships with the ability to stay aloft for extended periods of time could be used.

Aspects of the technology relate to rotational electromechanical systems, in which data and or power are supplied to components while one part of the system is rotating relative to another part of the system. Repeated rotation may create strain on or otherwise cause the cables to intermittently or permanently fail. A helical cable management system is provided that enables full rotation to the extent permitted. One or more cables are wound in a helical shape around the axis of rotation, which distributes the deformation of the cable along the helical length. Rotation in one direction causes the helix diameter to increase, while rotation in the other direction causes the helix diameter to decrease. A structure is used to maintain the distance between helical turns, while permitting the increase and decrease of the helix diameter. This reduces the overall strain on the cables, which can significantly extend their useful lifetime.

An airborne platform vehicle comprising an aircraft with a platform affixed to the top side providing for a multipurpose airborne platform is disclosed. The airborne platform vehicle comprising a platform affixed to the top side of an aircraft or airship providing accessibility to the platform from either inside or outside the aircraft. The aircraft itself being able to float or fly by virtue of the lighter than air gas inside the body of the aircraft or with assisted lift from wings, being propelled by a ducted fan, propeller drive system, or otherwise and having a power source from which to power the drive system. The airborne platform vehicle being capable of movement and remaining upright through the use of ballast, propellers, ducted fans, vector thrusters, wings, fins, and/or rudders. The airborne platform vehicle itself being able to take-off and land as well as stay afloat for long durations in a stationary or non-stationary position.

An airborne platform vehicle comprising an aircraft with a platform affixed to the top side providing for a multipurpose airborne platform is disclosed. The airborne platform vehicle comprising a platform affixed to the top side of an aircraft or airship providing accessibility to the platform from either inside or outside the aircraft. The aircraft itself being able to float or fly by virtue of the lighter than air gas inside the body of the aircraft or with assisted lift from wings, being propelled by a ducted fan, propeller drive system, or otherwise and having a power source from which to power the drive system. The airborne platform vehicle being capable of movement and remaining upright through the use of ballast, propellers, ducted fans, vector thrusters, wings, fins, and/or rudders. The airborne platform vehicle itself being able to take-off and land as well as stay afloat for long durations in a stationary or non-stationary position.

An airborne computational facility uses an energy collection system to provide energy for operation. An airborne balloon is provided with a photovoltaic collector array, and uses energy generated by the photovoltaic collector array to power an on-board computational facility. Data for computation is received by a communication module and computational results are transmitted by the communication module.

An airborne computational facility uses an energy collection system to provide energy for operation. An airborne balloon is provided with a photovoltaic collector array, and uses energy generated by the photovoltaic collector array to power an on-board computational facility. Data for computation is received by a communication module and computational results are transmitted by the communication module.