4 ms·

Isn't it lighter than air? The article also claims its heavier, but I assumed it was a mistake.

• TelmoMenezes 15y ago
  Heavier. The article is about an hybrid vessel that uses helium to decrease its weight but is still heavier than air. I'm not a physicist, but I assume that lighter than air objects tend to have more wind resistance than heavier than air objects.
  • dimitar 15y ago
    Oh, I get it now.
  • rbanffy 15y ago
    > lighter than air objects tend to have more wind resistance than heavier than air objects. They have a larger cross-section relative to their mass than heavier than air vehicles. The larger the cross-section, the larger the force wind exerts on it.
• SagelyGuru 15y ago
  The idea of heavier than air but lighter than deadweight seems to be a worthy compromise to explore but of course, if the engines fail or it runs out of sunshine/fuel, it will not be able to stay up very long, just like any other heavier-than-air aircraft. Lest anyone brings up skilled gliders, I don't think with its wind-resistance this craft will glide for long either.