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126 comments on The Ford Global Challenge - A Green Car That Runs On Air?
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126 comments on The Ford Global Challenge - A Green Car That Runs On Air?
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Airships can't fly in bad weather.
Hi,
That's the point of Rolf_w's comment fly above the weather. As it is, all air craft get grounded in severe weather as they can't take off, but having a network of what is in effect a fleet of low orbiting blimps/weather balloons is technically feasible. There is also the idea of having these things covered in pvs and 'moored' to ground power take off points. As they are above cloud cover and atmosphere, they become much more efficient, + distribution looses are just the length of connecting/mooring cable (carbon fibre/composite something light and strong) - the added thing is that at the edge of the troposphere temperature is a cool -55 Deg.C adding further to electrical efficiency - possible superconductivity etc. But hey, no harm in fantasising eh?
L,
Sid.
They can fly over the weather. they just cannot take off and land so easily in bad weather. I suppose one could run out of champagne if aloft too long. Now, that would be a tragedy. ;->
Winds at that altitude can reach 100 mph. Just figuring out where they are would be a challenge:)
Considering the the German´s managed world wide flights in them with early 1900´s technology, I think we might manage quite well with GPS and modern weather tracking. Computers should be able to put those winds to good use.
Agreed. A number of 'outdated' forms of technology need to be revived. New technology can ionterface with the old. to make the old work better, safer:
- Trains
- Streetcars
- Sailing ships
- Blimps and Zeppelins
- Shipping canals
A lot of 'old fashioned' jobs need to be rediscovered, too. People need interesting things to do, besides work in a store in a mall ... or sit in an office sending emails back and forth to others doing the same thing.