Zipping Around the World in a Solar-Powered Airship: Slow and Steady Wins the Race!
Well, butter my toast and call me Susie, but have you heard about the Solar Airship One? This mammoth contraption plans to make its leisurely journey around the world, all without a single drop of fuel. If you've got 20 days to spare, you can journey some 25,000 miles (40,000 km) across the equator on this zero-emission solar magic carpet. Hurry? Why, who needs it when you can sail through the skies at the speed of... well, a bicycle!
Now, I've covered all sorts of wheeled and winged wonders in my time, but this airship takes the solar-paneled cake! With 51,700 square feet (4,800 square meters) of solar film on its back, roughly nine-tenths of an NFL football field, it harnesses the sun by day and uses the magic of hydrogen at night. Hey, no one likes a lazy vehicle, and this one sure doesn't stop working after sundown!
This 495-foot (151-m) airborne leviathan isn't solo piloted by a chap with a captain’s hat, twirling a mustache. Nope! Onboard are none other than former astronaut Michel Tognini, the absolutely indomitable Dorine Bourneton, and Bertrand Piccard, who seems to have made globe-trotting in unique vehicles his personal passion.
Now, let's do a bit of math. And by "let's," I mean, I'll do it for you. Our blimp buddies are anticipating an average cruise of 52 mph (83 km/h). Yup, it’s not setting any land (or air) speed records. But, unlike our jet-fueled cousins, this beauty can stop on a dime without needing an airstrip in sight. I've got to admit, that's handier than a pocket on a shirt!
Speaking of handiness, while some airship endeavors like the AirYacht and Airlander fancy themselves the airborne yachts of tomorrow, others think these bad boys could be the next big thing for moving cargo. I mean, imagine hauling freight with 10 times the gusto of a cargo plane, a quarter of the price, and a smidge faster than your average cargo ship. Not too shabby for a big balloon, huh?
The most eco-friendly part? Renewable energy powers it. Yet, there's a bit of a snag. The darn thing is stuffed with 1.77 million cubic feet (50,000 cubic meters) of helium. Helium, my dear readers, is the rebellious teen of elements. Once it gets into the air, it decides Earth isn't cool enough and bolts straight to space. And let me tell you, we can't just whip up another batch of helium in the backyard!
Mark your calendars because 2026 is when this grand voyage is set to take off. Cruising at a comfy 19,700 feet (6,000 m), it promises to be quite the spectacle. Until then, I might just stick to my trusty e-bike and daydream about soaring skies, albeit slowly.
Yours truly,
Captain Electro
