I love blimps and zeppelins. Besides my fascination with steampunk and my hatred of airplanes, there is something just inherently cool about airships. I’ve never gotten a chance to ride on one, but I would jump at such a chance.
Maybe, just maybe, one day I will. And if this AIRCRUISE zero emissions airship ever gets off the ground and past the pretty-picture design stage, it is definitely the airship I would want a ride on.
Nothing more than a creative concept right now, the AIRCRUISE was designed by Korean-based Samsung Construction and Design. The idea is to create a zero emissions airship with lots of luxury in place of a hurried, cramped flight that has become the norm for air travel these days. I cannot emphasize how much I hate flying. It isn’t that I’m afraid of flying… but I’ve got wide shoulders. I don’t fit comfortably into the seats, and I rather dislike the idea of shelling out hundreds of dollars extra just to have a comfortable seat.
The AIRCRUISE does away with such nonsense. Rather than an expedited flight, the AIRCRUISE will take its time getting to its destination; think of it sort of like an airborne cruise liner. The inside would resemble something like a hotel, with multiple levels and attractions during the extended flight. A cruise between London and New York would take about 37 hours, while LA to Hong Kong would take about four days. Which is fine by me; what is the big rush these days anyway?
Power for the AIRCRUISE would come from solar cells and hydrogen fuel cells and it would be held aloft by four hydrogen-filled air bags. Each bag is capable of self-sealing in case of rupture, though how this airship would hold up in detrimental weather could be a deal breaker. With a top speed of just 90 mph, it would be huge, ponderous, and luxurious. I really hope it works.
Samsung hopes to bring the AIRCRUISE to life sometime around 2015. I won’t hold my breath… but I will cross my fingers.
Source: The Design Blog | Images: Seymourpowell
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About Christopher DeMorro
Purty. I like it.
The downside is that most of the people that can afford 1st class style accommodations don’t have time for that length of flight. :^(
Interesting that the fuel tanks are the things that keep it aloft … just like an airplane.
Purty. I like it.
The downside is that most of the people that can afford 1st class style accommodations don’t have time for that length of flight. :^(
Interesting that the fuel tanks are the things that keep it aloft … just like an airplane.
I agree totally on this. This would an irresistible ride.I recently read about a company that actually operates dirigible (not blimp) tours of San Francisco, and the video of it was mesmerizing. Unfortunately those tours cost something like $450 for an hour.
I agree totally on this. This would an irresistible ride.I recently read about a company that actually operates dirigible (not blimp) tours of San Francisco, and the video of it was mesmerizing. Unfortunately those tours cost something like $450 for an hour.
Who wouldn’t be awed by the sight of a giant, sci-fi airship flying around? I, too, think it would be very cool and hope it turns out to be practical enough to justify its existance.
Who wouldn’t be awed by the sight of a giant, sci-fi airship flying around? I, too, think it would be very cool and hope it turns out to be practical enough to justify its existance.