Canadian Company Plans Solar-Powered Heavier-Than-Air Airships

savuporo writes "By crossing airships with airplanes, Solar Ship is planning to build a craft that can carry heavy loads long distances with a tiny carbon footprint. Filled with helium, they soak up rays from the sun to provide the energy for forward motion and fulfill its original design challenge – carry 1,000 kilograms (2,205 lbs) of payload 1,000 kilometers (621.4 miles). The craft is heavier than air, and uses a combination of helium filling its interior and its lifting body delta wing shape to stay airborne. Solar Ship shows plans for a range of different size craft for different duties."

Re:A bit short sighted

[Scarletdown]

But since it is a lot hotter in that direction, all those missions to the sun would have to be done at night.

Re:A bit short sighted

[Kagura]

So what's lighter than helium and hydrogen? Vacuum! We need more advancements in vacuum balloon technology.