About UD AIRSHIP

Manufactured by Galaxy Blimps in Dallas, Texas, the airship was designed as a “heavy-lifter” for large cameras. The airship underwent test runs filming sports events for ESPN before the University of Delaware took delivery in August of 2008. It began formal research missions in March of 2009.

The 60 foot-long blimp operates via remote control, within 1 mile of the operator, at altitudes of up to 2000 feet. It is capable of carrying instrument payloads of up to 100 pounds. It has a rigid rail system that enables it to be equipped with a variety of Earth and atmosphere-observing instrumentation.

The airship is inflated with helium and two internal ballonets are used to help redistribute the helium in the bladder. Sand bags are used to ballast the fully inflated ship and to ensure that it has a net weight of approximately 10 pounds. Lift is provided by the engines and the aerodynamic shape of the ship.

We currently use two remotely controlled gimbal mounts that can be used to control cameras and simultaneously transmit live images to the ground.