Lighter Than Air Technology

About Us

U-LTA is a platform initiated and coordinated by IMIEU with the goal of upscaling Lighter Than Air technology (LTA). The platform will mobilize financing, policy, and infrastructure. Through collaboration with academia, business developers, and policymakers the platform initiates studies that investigate the performance of LTA carriers and related infrastructure, driven by the needs of the partners.

Furthermore, the platform aims to contribute to procedures for authorization and certification of LTA carriers. By achieving these goals, the platform contributes to delivering on climate ambitions, such as those set out in the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal.

Mobilise Finance

Mobilising finance for upscaling Lighter Than Air technology.

Accessibility to Remote Places

LTA carriers require less ground infrastructure and ground space for take-off and landing, they do not require very long runways or large airspace.

Certification and Safety

Co-operating on improved procedures regarding certification, safety, and environment, attracting supply industry

Education and Training

Develop training and education for future operation and maintenance.

Advantages

Decarbonization

Besides lower CO2 emissions for taking off and staying airborne, the newest carriers are also exploring the use of fuel cells and solar energy for powering their motors and onboard operations, thereby contributing to even further decarbonization.

Lower CO2 Emissions

Ligther-Than-Air carriers need less 90% less power for take-off (Eissing, 2020) as they rely on lift-gas for staying airborne and, therefore, contribute to reaching the CO2 reduction.

Low-Noise

LTA carriers that use helium or hydrogen as a lift gas would create much less noise than conventional aviation. A propulsion system would be required mainly for changing direction while airborne, and preventing wind gusts from blowing the carrier off course.

Easy Access

LTA carriers require less ground infrastructure and ground space for take-off and landing, they do not require very long runways or large airspace. They are thus uniquely suited to reaching remote places such as mountainous terrain, desert areas, icy regions, etc.

The U-LTA Platform

Europe has seen a resurgence in LTA technology initiatives. However, there are still significant challenges, mostly regarding financing for the upscaling of the technology, for example, the realization of demonstration projects.

Additionally, safety aspects require much attention. The goal of the U-LTA platform is to enhance publicity towards policy makers, investors, and the general public. Additionally, the goal is to facilitate financing, to stimulate technological development, improve the safety and testing of programmes, and contribute to the improvement of authorisation and certification procedures.

Functionality of U-LTA

Interactive platform which connects innovators, governmental organizations, and academic partners of Lighter-Than-Air technology.

Cargo and Agricultural Aid Telecommunication and Internet connectivity Surveillance, Forecasting Emergency rescue and aid Passenger Transport

Long haul cargo becomes more economical, cost of transport per kilo of cargo goes down with increases in cargo load capacity at 1000 Mtonnes of cargo, the costs per kilo are comparable to that of a ship (source Empyreal Galaxy, 2021). Airships can move faster than conventional cargo ships. They can stay airborne for days, rather than hours, do not require refueling while airborne. If they use hydrogen or helium as a lift gas (and for onboard electronics, and if the hydrogen is produced renewably), they also have much lower CO2 emissions associated with their operation.

Airships can provide valuable service in the telecommunication field, especially in providing internet and telephone accessibility in traditionally unconnected areas in remote parts of the world. Airships for this use would be known as High Altitude Pseudo Satellites, would be unmanned, and would function at 20 km above the earth's surface in the stratosphere. These airships can stay airborne in relatively constant positions in the sky for days to months, would require minimal refueling, and would be cheaper to build and operate than an equivalent cell tower (Source: Empyreal Galaxies, 2021).

Surveillance and weather forecasting is another sector where airships can make significant contributions. As airships can function as both manned, and unmanned vehicles, their use in surveillance would be similar in function to that of conventional drones. Airships would be able to stay airborne for much longer than traditional drones, however. At high altitudes, airships can also avoid detection.

Airships and LTA carriers can also be used to provide aid in emergency situations, for locations that are inaccessible by road/ship/conventional aviation. LTA carriers would require less ground infrastructure and space for landing, and can also hover for very long periods of time, as such, they can be a valuable technology for rescue missions and providing emergency aid and supplies.

In addition to cargo and transport of emergency supplies, LTA carriers can also be used to transport passengers. Luxury travel is a commonly known application of LTA carriers, but the sector can be expanded into low-cost passenger transport as well, in regions which cannot support the infrastructure for conventional aviation.

Safety and Regulations

As LTA technology has a benign environmental footprint, it will contribute to the decarbonisation of transport, a key objective in the European New Green Deal.

Specifically regarding manned airships, the European Agency for Aviation Safety EASA is developing a new type certificate for airships (SC Gas) for which it has asked input from stakeholders earlier this year. The final document is expected to come out towards the end of this year. The link to the earlier consultation document you can find here: