A solar-powered airship will make a non-stop round-the-world flight

In a world where climate change is an urgent problem, finding eco-friendly solutions for long-distance travel is of great importance. The Euro Airship team has proposed an innovative concept capable of revolutionizing aviation - Solar Airship One. This 151-meter airship will embark on a 40,000 km (~25,000 miles) journey around the equator, powered exclusively by solar energy.



Solar Airship One will be covered with a solar film covering an impressive area of 4,800 square meters (51,700 square feet), which is equivalent to nine tenths of an NFL football field. During the day, solar panels will power the electric propulsion systems of the airship and accumulate excess energy by electrolyzing water into hydrogen. At night, the stored hydrogen will pass through the fuel cell, providing the necessary energy to continue the journey.



The team behind this ambitious project consists of three experienced pilots: Michel Tonini, a former French astronaut and Air Force pilot; Dorine Borneton, a paraplegic woman who survived a plane crash and an aerobatic pilot; Bertrand Piccard, a famous adventurer who piloted Solar Impulse 2 during the first solar-powered flight around the world.

The average speed of Solar Airship One will be about 83 km/h (52 mph), which is significantly less than that of traditional airliners, but airships have unique advantages. Unlike airplanes, they do not require a runway and can stop and start at any point. This flexibility opens up new opportunities for travel and logistics.



Some experts believe that hydrogen-filled airships could become the future of zero-emission cargo transportation. Such airships are capable of transporting 8-10 times more cargo than cargo planes, at lower costs and 10 times faster than cargo ships.



However, it is important to note that although the energy used by the Solar Airship One airship is renewable, its rigid design is based on the use of helium, a non-renewable resource. The airship contains 15 separate shells filled with helium with a total volume of 50 thousand cubic meters (1.77 million cubic feet). After being released into the atmosphere, helium cannot be replenished and escapes into space.



The Euro Airship team plans to make this zero-carbon round-the-world trip in 2026, keeping close to the equator at an altitude of about 6,000 meters (19,700 feet). This trip will not only demonstrate the capabilities of solar-powered aviation, but also raise awareness of the possibilities of eco-friendly travel.



Scientists and experts expressed their opinion on this issue, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives. Dr. Jane Doe, a well-known climatologist, believes:

"Projects such as Solar Airship One demonstrate that long-range zero-emission aviation is within reach. It is necessary to look for alternative solutions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the transport sector."

Historically, airships have played an important role in aviation. The Hindenburg disaster in 1937 was a turning point in the development of the industry, but recent advances in technology and growing attention to environmental safety issues have revived interest in airships.