Airship
Airship
Airship (/ˈɛərˌʃɪp/), also known as a dirigible or blimp, is a type of aerostat or lighter-than-air aircraft that can navigate through the air under its own power.
Etymology
The term "airship" was coined in the late 19th century from the Greek words 'aer' (air) and 'naus' (ship), signifying a ship sailing in the air.
Definition
An airship is a powered, steerable aerostat, usually filled with helium or hydrogen. Unlike fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters, airships are kept aloft by the use of buoyant gas. They are equipped with engines for propulsion and can be steered in any direction, including vertically.
Types of Airships
There are three main types of airships: non-rigid (or blimps), semi-rigid, and rigid. Non-rigid airships, also known as blimps, are airships without a structural framework. Semi-rigid airships have some kind of supporting structure but the shape of the airship is maintained by the pressure of the gas inside. Rigid airships, also known as zeppelins, have a full framework which maintains the shape of the airship.
Related Terms
- Aerostat: A lighter-than-air aircraft that gains its lift through the use of a buoyant gas. Airships are a type of aerostat.
- Blimp: A non-rigid airship without an internal structural framework.
- Dirigible: Another term for an airship, especially one that is steerable.
- Zeppelin: A type of rigid airship named after the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin who pioneered rigid airship development at the beginning of the 20th century.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Airship
- Wikipedia's article - Airship
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