What is Inside an Airship (Part 1)?

An airship looks like a simple air balloon. Most people0.07 pounds per square inch) in order to utilize it
believe that it functions the same way an air balloonefficiently.
works. However, the working of an airship isNose Cone Battens
somewhat complex and it uses many things like anNose Cone Battens provides the support to an airship
envelope, nose cone battens, aft ballonet, forwardor blimp. The basic purpose of Nose Cone Battens is
ballonet, catenary curtain, engines, suspension cables,to protect an airship from damage. In addition, it
flight control surfaces, elevators, air valves, airmakes an airship look like an airplane. It also contains
scoops, helium valve, and a gondola. Some of thesemooring hooks that are located at the nose of the
technical terms and functions are explained in thisairships.
article.Ballonets
EnvelopeBallonets are located inside the envelope of an airship,
An envelope, located in the airship, is a large bagwhich contain air-filled bags in it. An airship usually
containing helium gas. The helium gas is used for liftingconsist of two Ballonets, one fore and one aft. The
an airship in the air. The envelope takes the shape ofballast tanks of a submarine greatly resembles the
a cigar and is very durable and long-lasting as it isballonets. The basic purpose of these airbags is to
composed of polyester composites (which is just likeinflate or deflate a blimp. As the helium is a lighter gas
fabric). "ILC Dover Corporation" is involved in thethat is used for lifting purpose, these airbags are
making of polyester composites, which is then usedused to land these airships.
in the making of the envelope. The capacity ofCatenary Curtain and Suspension Cables
envelope varies from blimp to blimp. NormallyTwo catenary curtains are used in the airships that
envelopes can hold from 67,000 ft to 250,000 ft ofare made up of fabrics. On the other hand,
helium inside it. Moreover, the pressure of the heliumsuspension cables are used to attach the catenary
inside a blimp is kept at a low level (approximatelycurtains to the gondola.