| 20090072084 | LIGHTER-THAN-AIR VEHICLES - The present invention describes lighter-than-air vehicles. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a lighter-than-air vehicle having a payload module, the payload module including an engine. Furthermore, the lighter-than-air vehicle includes a non-rigid envelope in communication with the payload module. The lighter-than-air vehicle also provides a propulsion system that includes a plurality of thrusters, the thrusters positioned substantially near the equatorial plane of the non-rigid envelope. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a lighter-than-air vehicle comprising a payload module and a non-rigid envelope in communication with the payload module. Furthermore, the lighter-than-air vehicle includes a hydraulic propulsion system in communication with the non-rigid envelope and the payload module. | 03-19-2009 |
