STAGES OF R&D
There are several stages of research and development on the (run)way to zero emissions cargo transportation, each with their own impactful missions and markets.
STAGE 1: TETHERED AEROSTAT AS A WILDFIRE SENTINEL
PROBLEM: Wildfires destroy lives and property at an increasing rate. Early detection could save billions of dollars and hundreds to thousands of lives. Existing surveillance solutions are expensive, risky and cannot detect fires at an early enough stage to reliably stop them before they burn out of control.
SOLUTION: A tethered surveillance aerostat which can be deployed to remote areas, remain aloft unattended for long periods of time with low energy requirements, use a variety of sensing methods to provide early detection of small fires and fire conditions and provide a communications platform for emergency personnel.
Wildfire in Yellowstone National Park produces Pyrocumulus cloud
Date: 1 August 2008
Author: Brocken Inaglory
License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
Aerostat image added by Anumá Aerospace.
STAGE 2: FREE-FLOATING, SELF-POWERED AEROSTAT
PROBLEM: Weather events destroy lives and property at an increasing rate. Comprehensive data could save billions of dollars and hundreds to thousands of lives. Existing weather data collection systems are lacking in detailed climate information at altitudes.
SOLUTION: A sustainable weather aerostat which can circulate with the winds and stream rich weather data for years without having to land.
Do you use weather data? If so, please answer our survey to help us design the best weather aerostat.
Date 9 April 2017
Source https://pixabay.com/en/clouds-mountains-sky-white-2292454/ archive copy
Author Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke (3dman_eu)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_Commons_license#Zero_/_public_domain
Aerostat image added by Anumá Aerospace.
STAGE 3: DUAL-CELL SURVEILLANCE DRONE AEROSTAT
PROBLEM: Borders must be monitored for security of both the states and migrants. Around the world, fences, walls, deserts and even bodies of water are failing to dissuade migrants, and most surveillance solutions are expensive and require people on site.
SOLUTION: A remote piloted propelled aerostat capable of remaining aloft indefinitely, surveying large areas.
STAGE 4: PILOTED LONG-HAUL HEAVY LIFT CARGO AEROSTAT
PROBLEM: Long-haul heavy lift transportation is a necessary part of the global economy yet contributes 7% of greenhouse gas emissions and is very difficult to electrify. It is also prone to many types of disruption and constrained by expensive and aging infrastructure.
SOLUTION: Zero emissions vacuum lift cargo airships.
