NASA Conducts Zeppelin-Based Research

In a less conventional manner of doing science, the American space agency, NASA, has joined forces with Airship Ventures, Inc., in its quest of utilizing the unique capabilities of a zeppelin airship for conducting investigations in the San Francisco Bay area. As of 2008, there have been less than five zeppelins in the world, and NASA is planning to take full advantage of the fact that it has access to one, to perform unique investigations. The first such airship arrived at the Ames Research Center, in Moffett Field, California, on October 25, 2008, after the first cross-US zeppelin trek in more than 70 years.

“We are very interested in the unique capabilities of the Zeppelin to enable remote sensing and atmospheric science measurements not previously practical,” Ames Research Center scientist Stephen Dunagan explains. The 246-foot-long Zeppelin NT airship is currently equipped with two imaging instruments, which experts hope to use in order to get a better view of atmospheric conditions not detectable via other means, such as weather balloons or Doppler Radars. One of the main reasons why a zeppelin is so suited for this type of observations is the fact that this ship has a very stable frame, and also a massive sensitivity to commands.

Among the studies NASA plans to conduct using the precious aircraft, experts mention aerosols and gas-constituent sampling, as well as measurements of the reflected solar radiation, and emitted thermal radiation, from the ground. Two days ago, on October 6, a group of scientists embarked onto the zeppelin, and used a large-format Bayer array color camera to conduct three scientific experiments while on an eight-hour tour of the Moffett Field. The zeppelin Eureka, which NASA uses, rests in Hangar 2 at the airbase, which is one of the mere 12 airship hangars left in the whole world.

“We often talk about the airship’s stability, maneuverability and panoramas as benefits to sightseeing passengers when, in fact, they are just as beneficial to scientific work. Working with NASA and other esteemed scientific organizations, we will demonstrate that the airship’s flight characteristics not only make it a great way to see the world, but also to understand it better,” Alexandra Hall, the co-founder and CEO of Airship Ventures, says of the partnership, quoted by PhsyOrg.