A solar-powered airship with a hull configured to contain a gas and at least one propulsion assembly with a propulsion device and electric motors configured to drive the propulsion device. The airship may also include a power supply system including solar panels operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The power supply system may also include batteries operatively coupled to the solar panels and configured to receive and store electrical energy supplied by the solar panels, the batteries being further operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The batteries may each be located within an outer envelope of the airship defined by the hull of the airship in a position selected to provide ballast. The solar-powered airship may also include a cargo system configured to contain passengers or freight.

A solar-powered airship with a hull configured to contain a gas and at least one propulsion assembly with a propulsion device and electric motors configured to drive the propulsion device. The airship may also include a power supply system including solar panels operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The power supply system may also include batteries operatively coupled to the solar panels and configured to receive and store electrical energy supplied by the solar panels, the batteries being further operatively coupled to the electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors. The batteries may each be located within an outer envelope of the airship defined by the hull of the airship in a position selected to provide ballast. The solar-powered airship may also include a cargo system configured to contain passengers or freight.

One embodiment of a propulsion system for omnidirectional maneuverability and efficient forward flight of an airship comprising only fixed, unidirectional engines (17, 19, 20). The thrust vectors of the fixed engines (19, 20) are oriented in a way that their speeds can be chosen such that all forces acting on the airship (i.e., engine thrusts, gravity, buoyancy, wind and potentially others) are together resulting in the desired motion. In one embodiment these are four ducted fans (17) at the bow and four ducted fans (19) at the stern of the aircraft. Their thrust vectors can be decomposed into three vectors of equal length that are each parallel to one of the three axis of a cartesian coordinate system like defined in FIG. 8. In one embodiment efficient forward flight is achieved by an additional engine (20) at the stern of the airship.

One embodiment of a propulsion system for omnidirectional maneuverability and efficient forward flight of an airship comprising only fixed, unidirectional engines (17, 19, 20). The thrust vectors of the fixed engines (19, 20) are oriented in a way that their speeds can be chosen such that all forces acting on the airship (i.e., engine thrusts, gravity, buoyancy, wind and potentially others) are together resulting in the desired motion. In one embodiment these are four ducted fans (17) at the bow and four ducted fans (19) at the stern of the aircraft. Their thrust vectors can be decomposed into three vectors of equal length that are each parallel to one of the three axis of a cartesian coordinate system like defined in FIG. 8. In one embodiment efficient forward flight is achieved by an additional engine (20) at the stern of the airship.

To record an interesting image. An information processing apparatus includes an imaging unit and a control unit. The imaging unit is provided at a flight vehicle which moves in air by utilizing gas lighter than air and is configured to image a subject to generate image data. The control unit is configured to perform control movement of the flight vehicle on the basis of at least one of information relating to the flight vehicle and information of surroundings of the flight vehicle, and to perform control to record the image data generated by the imaging unit.

Rigid structural-frame dirigible comprising an internal framework divided in internal zones fixedly clearly separated and sealingly isolated therebetween through rigid partition means in fixed union with the internal frame itself, and suitable for being evacuated to a vacuum regime, respectively forming as many vacuum zones (3A; 3B; 3C).

Rigid structural-frame dirigible comprising an internal framework divided in internal zones fixedly clearly separated and sealingly isolated therebetween through rigid partition means in fixed union with the internal frame itself, and suitable for being evacuated to a vacuum regime, respectively forming as many vacuum zones (3A; 3B; 3C).

Aspects of the technology relate to lateral propulsion systems in lighter-than-air (LTA) platforms configured to operate in the stratosphere. One or more motor assemblies are used to actuate the lateral propulsion system and to make directional changes, for instance using one or more propellers. This can include a pointing axis motor assembly for orienting the lateral propulsion system along a particular heading, and a drive motor assembly for causing a propeller assembly or other propulsion mechanism to turn on and off Corrective actions may be necessary to adjust the alignment of the lateral propulsion system. A stepper motor control module may be used to control operation of the pointing axis motor assembly, for instance by causing it to rotate in a clockwise (or counterclockwise) direction. A motor current control approach may be used, in which the motor voltage is adjusted until a measured motor current reaches a selected current level.

Aspects of the technology relate to lateral propulsion systems in lighter-than-air (LTA) platforms configured to operate in the stratosphere. One or more motor assemblies are used to actuate the lateral propulsion system and to make directional changes, for instance using one or more propellers. This can include a pointing axis motor assembly for orienting the lateral propulsion system along a particular heading, and a drive motor assembly for causing a propeller assembly or other propulsion mechanism to turn on and off Corrective actions may be necessary to adjust the alignment of the lateral propulsion system. A stepper motor control module may be used to control operation of the pointing axis motor assembly, for instance by causing it to rotate in a clockwise (or counterclockwise) direction. A motor current control approach may be used, in which the motor voltage is adjusted until a measured motor current reaches a selected current level.

Provided is a flight vehicle operating method including: mooring a flight vehicle to a mooring unit by a cable; reducing a weight of the flight vehicle, increasing the flotage of the flight vehicle, or increasing the flotage of the flight vehicle while reducing the weight of the flight vehicle, by using a first flotation adjuster; floating the flight vehicle at a suitable altitude in the air; increasing the weight of the flight vehicle, reducing the flotage of the flight vehicle, or reducing the flotage of the flight vehicle while increasing the weight of the flight vehicle, by using a second flotation adjuster or a propelling unit of the flight vehicle; and releasing the connection between the flight vehicle and the mooring unit and withdrawing the cable.