Transporting goods by balloon

The US Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) is building a new generation balloon to transport goods - the project is considered a revolution in the transport industry.

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According to The Daily Telegraph (UK), the first balloon model called Aeros Pelican may be available for testing next year. Simon Worden, director of the NASA Research Center in California, said using air balloons saves time and money because it can transport hundreds of tons of cargo and be unloaded directly everywhere. both areas without roads and transport infrastructure. NASA is also collaborating with the US Department of Defense in a plan to use the air supply logistics for the military.

Aeros Pelican hot air balloon - (Photo: inhabitat.com)

In another project, Britain's Hybrid Air Vehicle Company signed a contract to supply 45 hot air balloons that can carry up to 50 tons of cargo to a Canadian airline company. This balloon can travel at 185 km / h. Hybrid Air Vehicle spokesman said this type of balloon is in a detailed design phase, to be built in 2012 and commercialized in 2014. The company handed over a contempt to the US military. The balloon is only used for surveillance purposes but it is also capable of carrying 10 tons of cargo.

Hot air balloon was used quite popular in the early twentieth century but rarely used since the Hindenburg balloon fire incident in the US in 1937 killed 36 people.