Thread

1. WalterBright · 1789614779 · focus · HN ↗

   This seems to happen once every 20 years.

   1. sien · 1789614958 · focus · HN ↗

      Yep. They alternate decades with the 'Airships are returning for cargo' groups.

      1. lukeify · 1789617464 · focus · HN ↗

         I'd be down for a future of awesome looking ships and giant zeppelins gracing the sky.

         1. WalterBright · 1789625499 · focus · HN ↗

            I'd love to fly in a Zeppelin, too, but the problem is they are very vulnerable to the weather.

            1. ThrustVectoring · 1789627053 · focus · HN ↗

               AIUI the problem is the economics are pretty unfavorable for smaller-scale prototypes due to square-cube issues (drag and thus fuel costs is proportional to cross-sectional area, lift and thus cargo capacity is proportional to volume). You'd need a very big airship to get a competitive economic niche between sea and traditional air freight, where you're faster and more flexible than sea transport and cheaper than traditional air freight.

               1. econ · 1789646612 · focus · HN ↗

                  There is another niche if you make them several miles long and width. Then can use more conventional construction materials like a concrete shell. (We are of course not ready for that)

                  1. WalterBright · 1789693603 · focus · HN ↗

                     An airship made from concrete? Better off using Led for Zeppelins.

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