Blog Post #1: How Blimps Work

A blimp may seem similar to a balloon, but it is not. Blimps have structure and shape that gives it control to fly. A blimp is a lighter-than-air craft because it uses helium. Helium is more expensive and difficult to get compared to hydrogen, but its inflammability makes it safer. The large bag that holds the helium is called the envelope.

 A blimp ascends and descends using buoyancy. There are holding tanks within the blimp called ballonets that carry heavy air. When the blimp needs to ascend, the heavy air is vented from the ballonets and the helium in the envelope allows the blimp to rise.  Once the blimp is in the air, the atmospheric pressure decreases and the helium expands. To offset this expansion, the pilot must pump air back into the ballonets. The engines move the blimp forward and backward, while the rudder steers. In order to descend, air fills the ballonets, making it heavier. When the blimp is landed and not being used, it is put in the hangar and anchored, or moored, to a mooring mast.

Blimps do not consume much energy or fuel when they hover of fly. This means blimps can stay in the air for hours or days. Currently, blimps are most commonly used for research, sports coverage, and advertising because of their ability to stay in the air for extended periods of time while being energy efficient.

Sources: 

Freudenrich, Ph.D. Craig. "How Blimps Work." HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com, 26 Feb. 2001. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/-flight/modern/blimp3.htm>.

"WHAT THE TECH!?" : 1-2-2012 Blimps and WWII in New Jersey. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. <http://techieteachnj.blogspot.com/2012/01/1-2-2012-blimps-and-wwii-in-new-jersey.html>.