38,000³ Meters Of Helium Wasted

[kelemvor]

World’s largest aircraft “weeks” away from first UK test flight

For shame, UK. For shame.

The Martha Gwyn is an odd beast. At its most basic, it's a 92-metre (302ft) blimp filled with 38,000 cubic metres of helium.

That gas would be better used for diving!

 

[Storker]

Would you prefer that they used hydrogen?

 

[kelemvor]

better that than helium. Alternatively, they could build solar powered planes or any of a myriad of other aircraft.

 

[Storker]

better that than helium

You can't be effing serious.

 

[emoreira]

That gas would be better used for diving!

In fact that Helium will be still on earth after that aircraft is no longer inflated with Helium. It needs to be captured again.

 

[teknitroxdiver]

In fact that Helium will be still on earth after that aircraft is no longer inflated with Helium. It needs to be captured again.

Not true. Helium quickly escapes the atmosphere and is lost. Why the World Will Run Out of Helium

 

[Storker]

Worried about He shortage? Support your local fusion research center!

 

[kelemvor]

I am a supporter of nuclear (nukular if you're a republican) power, actually. Although in Florida, I think large scale solar farms and solar on individual houses make better sense.

 

[Jared0425]

I think the Hindenburg shows why we don't use Hydrogen in airships. Nevertheless the Helium used in the blimp you mentioned only has a certain percentage of He use like birthday balloons. That would be way too expensive to use pure helium.

 

[teknitroxdiver]

I think the Hindenburg shows why we don't use Hydrogen in airships. Nevertheless the Helium used in the blimp you mentioned only has a certain percentage of He use like birthday balloons. That would be way too expensive to use pure helium.

They do use as pure of helium as possible; it's a struggle to get enough lift as it is without weighing the ship down with 'heavy' air. Here's some deeper explanation: Hydrogen and Helium in Rigid Airship Operations