CARGO TRANSPORTATION BY AIRSHIPS: A SYSTEMS STUDY

A systems engineering study of a lighter than air airship transportation system was conducted. The feasibility of the use of airships in hauling cargo was demonstrated. Social, legal, environmental and political factors were considered as well as the technical factors necessary to design an effective airship transportation system. In order to accomplish an effective airship transportation program two phases of implementation were recommended. Phase I would involve a fleet of rigid airships of 3.5 million cubic feet displacement capable of carrying 25 tons of cargo internal to the helium-filled gas bag. The Phase I fleet would demonstrate the economic and technical feasibility of modern-day airships while providing a training capability for the construction and operation of larger airships. The Phase II portion would be a fleet of rigid airships of 12 million cubic feet displacement capable of carrying a cargo of 100 tons a distance of 2,000 miles at a cruising speed of 60 mph. An economic analysis is given for a variety of missions for both Phase I and Phase II airships. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Houston

  4800 Calhoun Road
  Houston, TX  United States  77204
• Authors:
  • HUANG, C J
  • Dalton, C
• Publication Date: 1976-5

Media Info

• Pagination: 196 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airships; Boundary layer; Cargo ships; Drag; Economic analysis; Fuel consumption; Pressure; Systems engineering; Technology assessment
• Uncontrolled Terms: Experimental design
• Old TRIS Terms: Boundary layer control; Pressure drag
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Economics; Energy; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00145826
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NASA-CR-2636 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 16 1977 12:00AM