Aeroscraft rigid variable-buoyancy airship on the move
Aeros video showing its prototype Aeroscraft rigid-aeroshell variable-buoyancy airship during a ground-handling test in the airship hangar at Tustin, Calif. The 230ft-long airship can control its buoyancy by pumping helium between lifting-gas cells and pressurized tanks inside the aeroshell. Compressing the helium makes the vehicle heavier than air for landing, ground handling and unloading; releasing it makes it neutrally buoyant for vertical take-off and cruise. In this test, the Aeroscraft is moving on its air-bearing landing gear without personnel normally required to handle an airship on the ground.
