Aerosphere

Aerosphere are airships that are particularly noticeable due to their unusual spherical shape . They are sold by the US company Cyber ​​Defense Systems and Techsphere Systems International.

In the Aerosphere airships, the engines are located on the left and right at the equator of the sphere, although more than two engines are possible. The payload hangs down. Electric and combustion engine systems are available as drives.

development

The concept of the ball-shaped airship was developed some time ago by Hokan Colting and his company 21st Century Airships , Inc.

On June 12, 2003 , Hokan Colting and his co-pilot Tim Busszwei climbed an AeroSphere SA-60 ship to 6,234 m and thus set a new absolute FAI world record for airships. They surpassed the old record of the hot-air airship Boland Rover A-2 from 1988 by 1175 m, but were beaten again on December 13, 2004 by the same A-2, which set the new record at 6614 m. Military airships had already reached even greater heights in the First World War. However, these records are not recognized by the FAI.

The SA-60's bullet is 18.9 m (62 ft) in diameter. Two 59 kW (80 HP) petrol engines, which can be pivoted, provide the drive. The propellers are 1.14 m (45 in) in diameter. A third propeller was located at the “stern”. However, it only blew air against the balloon to prevent the air flowing around it from stalling. The motors are mounted on metal rings that are held on the case by Velcro fasteners .

Techsphere Systems International LLC has acquired the rights to manufacture and commercialize this concept. At the beginning of July 2004, further test flights of a manned AeroSphere took place near Washington.

It is planned to develop an unmanned version that can be used as a high-altitude platform to carry sensors or telecommunications equipment at a height of 20 km and stay there for several days.