Could hydrogen airships return as fast, cheap, green cargo transports?

Is it time to resurrect hydrogen airships – not to carry passengers, but as fast, cheap and convenient cargo carriers?H2 Clipper VIEW 5 IMAGES

California startup H2 Clipper wants to bring back hydrogen-filled airships, claiming they can unlock completely green intercontinental cargo operations carrying 8-10 times the payload of any cargo plane over 6,000 miles, at a quarter of the price.

The H2 Clipper would carry payloads up to and beyond 340,000 lb (150,000 kg), says the company, and would offer up to 265,000 cubic feet (7,530 cubic metres) of cargo space. It wouldn't travel as fast as a plane, cruising at about 175 mph (282 km/h), but it would move boxes some 7-10 times faster than a boat (China to the US in 36 hours, for example) and with zero emissions.

Its lift gas would be hydrogen – providing some 8 percent more lift per volume than helium at something around 1/67th the price. Its propulsion would be fully electric, running on liquid hydrogen put through a fuel cell. H2 Clipper says it'd operate efficiently for missions ranging from under 500 miles (804 km) to "well over 6,000 miles (9,656 km)." That would link any two points on the globe with a single fuel top-up. In the current renders, the company shows the top of this huge aircraft covered in photovoltaic cells, which could theoretically enable it to generate its own hydrogen, if it were to carry a water source and an electrolyzer.

With the right provisions put in place, it could take goods right from a factory to a distribution center without needing additional ground transport stages to and from airports, thanks to its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.

04-Bravo; 1FASTGLOCK45; 1stFreedom; 2ndDivisionVet; 2sheds; 60Gunner; 6AL-4V; A.A. Cunningham; A_Conservative_Chinese; ableLight; acehai; Adrastus; Aeronaut; af_vet_rr; AFreeBird; agincourt1415; AGreatPer; ajolympian2004; AK2KX; aktab; al baby; alpo; American Vet Repairman; americanbychoice2; americanbychoice3; AnalogReigns; AngrySpud; anonymoussierra; AntiKev; antiRepublicrat; appeal2; Aquinasfan; Archangelsk; Arjun; ArrogantBustard; Atchafalaya; Atlantic Friend; Attention Surplus Disorder; August West; austinmark; aviator; azhenfud; B Knotts; B.Bumbleberry; b4its2late; B4Ranch; Babu; bad company; Bald Eagle777; baltodog; banjo joe; BatGuano; battlecry; bboop; bellevuesbest; Bender; berrydingle; Big Giant Head; BIGLOOK; BigTex5; bill1952; Billy A; Birdstrike; BlackRazor; Bogeygolfer; bootless; Boss_Jim_Gettys; bosshog; Brad’s Gramma; Bramuce; Brian Allen; Brilliant; Bring Back Old Sparky; BritExPatInFla; Brofholdonow; Brofholdonow; brooklin; buccaneer81; BulletBobCo; BunnySlippers; BurbankKarl; bushbiker; bwteim; CaliGirlGodHelpMe; Captain Beyond; CaptSkip; cardinal4; CarryaBigStick; ccmay; cdgent; Central Scrutiniser; CFIIIMEIATP737; Cheerio; ChefKeith; CHICAGOFARMER; ChiMark; ChinaThreat; CholeraJoe; ChromeDome; Chuckster; chuknospam; CIApilot; cibersnot; CIDKauf; citabria; Clemenza; Clive; cll; cmsgop; cobyok; CodeToad; ColdOne; ColoradoAce; condi2008; connectthedots; conservatism_IS_compassion; conservative in nyc; conservativecorner; Conspiracy Guy; Constantine XIII; Controlling Legal Authority; countess; Coupe Flyer; cp124; cpdiii; Criminal Number 18F; crucified14yearold; CT-Freeper; cyborg; cyphergirl; dalereed; Dan Middleton; Dan Nunn; darkwing104; Darth Tokarev; Dashing Dasher; Daus; DCBryan1; dcwusmc; Dead Dog; deadmenvote; decimon; Deek; Delta 21; Denver Ditdat; DesScorp; devane617; dfwgator; dighton; doorgunner69; dozer7; drc43; ducdriver; DuncanWaring; Durus; dutchess; DYngbld; eartrumpet; easymoney; eddiespaghetti; Egil; Egon; ekidsohbelaas; El Conservador; El Gran Salseron; elbucko; eno_; Eric in the Ozarks; Ernest_at_the_Beach; etabeta; EveningStar; ExcursionGuy84; expat_brit; expat_panama; ExSES; ExtremeUnction; F14 Pilot; F15Eagle; fallujah-nuker; Fast Ed97; Fast1; Fast Moving Angel; fastattacksailor; Fatalis; faux_hog; Fiddlstix; figgers3036; Finalapproach29er; firehunter; FireTrack; flash2368; flieger; fontoon; FormerACLUmember; Fractal Trader; Francis McClobber; free_at_jsl.com; freedom4ever; FreedomFlynnie; freedumb2003; freeplancer; FreezinBuffalo; Frep_addict; Froufrou; fwddeployed; gaijin; GaltMeister; Gamecock; GarySpFc; Gator113; gatorbait; GBA; George76; Ghengis; GhostSoldier; gogeo; GoldCountryRedneck; golux; gonzo; GOP_1900AD; GoredInMich; gridlock; grjr21; GRRRRR; Grzegorz; Guillermo; GunRunner; Gunrunner2; gwmoore; Habibi; HairOfTheDog; HAL9000; Halgr; HamiltonJay; Harmless Teddy Bear; hattend; hc87; hchutch; hedgetrimmer; Heisenberg; henkster; herewego; HiJinx; Hillarys Gate Cult; Hillary’s Lovely Legs; hindsfeetnhighplaces; hiramknight; HMFIC; holden; HolgerDansk; Hoplite; HostileTerritory; HOYA97; Hunble; lbryce; IGOTMINE; IL Republican; investigateworld; IonImplantGuru; irishtenor; iso; It Matters; Jack Hydrazine; Jagman; Jaxter; jaydubya2; JayNorth; JDoutrider; Jedi Master Pikachu; Jemian; jerseyboy4truth; Jet Jaguar; jettester; jim-x; jimboster; jmcenanly; Joe Boucher; joem15; joesnuffy; John Lenin; JoJo Gunn; Jomers; Josef1235; jpsb; jriemer; JRios1968; JSteff; July 4th; july4thfreedomfoundation; Just Lori; Just_de_facts; KangarooJacqui; KayEyeDoubleDee; Ken522; kenth; Kevin OMalley; KevinDavis; Kevmo; KeyesPlease; KeyLargo; Khashayar; kilowhskey; Kimberly GG; kmiller1k; KneelBeforeZod; Kozik; ladtx; Larry Lucido; larryav8r; Lazamataz; lbryce; leadpenny; LeGrande; Lesforlife; letsgonova19087; liberallarry; LiberationIT; lindor; linear; Little_shoe; LittleBillyInfidel; lizol; LLoyd George; LoneBugle; longtermmemmory; Lovergirl; lowbuck; luigi; Lukasz; LurkedLongEnough; Lx; mabelkitty; MadIvan; MadLibDisease; MamaB; man from mars; MarkL; MartiniKing; MassRepublicanFlyersFan; mastercylinder; Max in Utah; Maynerd; mcshot; meatloaf; MeekOneGOP; meeps; MHalblaub; mhking; microgood; miele man; mike1sg; MikeGranby; MindBender26; MoodyBlu; Moonman62; Moose4; MortMan; mr_hammer; mugs99; Mustng959; N. Theknow; namsman; narby; NASBWI; NavyCanDo; Neil E. Wright; neutrality; nicollo; nightdriver; NinoFan; Niteflyr; njmaugbill; NonValueAdded; Northern Yankee; norton; NY Attitude; nyg4168; Old Sarge; Old Student; onedoug; OneTimeLurker; oolatec; OrioleFan; orionblamblam; oxcart; Oztrich Boy; pad 34; Paleo Conservative; PAR35; Paradox; patton; pepperdog; PeteePie; peter the great; Pete’sWife; pgobrien; phantomworker; phatoldphart; Phsstpok; PilotDave; Pirate at Forty; pissant; playball0; Politicalities; pops88; Poundstone; Prophet in the wilderness; prophetic; ProtectOurFreedom; Proud_USA_Republican; proudofthesouth; Psalm 73; Pukin Dog; Pusterfuss; Pylot; quintr; Radix; RayChuang88; raygun; raygun; RDasher; Ready4Freddy; Rebelbase; redherring; Redleg Duke; REDWOOD99; Republicain; Rev DMV; RightOnTheLeftCoast; RightWhale; RightWingRadio; Righty_McRight; Rivendell; RJL; rlmorel; rmlew; roaddog727; Robert Warren Linville; Rodamala; rogue yam; Rome2000; Rooivalk; roscommon; rottndog; rube; SamAdams76; samson1097; Sandreckoner; SCDogPapa; schu; ScreamingGreenAlienGorilla; sd-joe; Seaplaner; Semper Vigilantis; SERE_DOC; shaggy eel; sheik yerbouty; shellshocked; ShorelineMike; shorty_harris; Sir Gawain; sitetest; skeptoid; skybird1; SkyDancer; SkyPilot; Smile-n-Win; snopercod; snowsislander; So Cal Rocket; sockhead; Spanaway Lori; Spaulding; spectr17; spodefly; spokeshave; spower; Squat; Squawk 8888; Srirangan; Steve0113; steveegg; stickandrudder; stubernx98; StudPilot; Sub-Driver; sukhoi-30mki; SunTzuWu; supercat; SuperLuminal; SW6906; SweetPilotofCanuckistan; swordfish71; systematic; Tailback; taildragger; Tainan; Tallguy; Tasha Dasha Doo; Taxman; Tennessee_Bob; Tenth; Texas WOP; TexasPatriot8; Textide; thchronic; The Incredible One; The Klingon; The South Texan; The Westerner; TheCause; thedilg; thefrankbaum; TheRedSoxWinThePennant; TheresaKett; thestob; Thommas; Tijeras_Slim; Time is now; Timm; timydnuc; TLOne; TMSuchman; Tommyjo; TomSmedley; TonyWojo; TopDog2; Travis McGee; Tree of Liberty; Tribune7; True Republican Patriot; trumandogz; TruthWillWin; tubebender; Turbopilot; TXBSAFH; U S Army EOD; UNGN; Unrepentant VN Vet; untrained skeptic; US_MilitaryRules; USNBandit; Veloxherc; verity; Vigilanteman; VORTAC; Walkingfeather; warsaw44; wastedyears; webschooner; wildcatf4f3; Willie Green; willstayfree; wingnut1971; wita; Wiz; wjcsux; wolficatZ; Wright is right!; xd45gap; X-USAF; yankeedame; yoe; Youngman442002; Yo-Yo; Zavien Doombringer; Zeppelin; zipper; ZOOKER; Zuben Elgenubi; ZULU;
Tijeras_Slim; FireTrack; Pukin Dog; citabria; B Knotts; kilowhskey; cyphergirl; Wright is right!; HairOfTheDog; bootless; SCDogPapa; Thommas; GaltMeister; miele man; Criminal Number 18F; spodefly; hchutch; SkyPilot; Textide; The Westerner; Archangelsk; hedgetrimmer; FreedomFlynnie; Hunble; af_vet_rr; Hillary’s Lovely Legs; It Matters; Big Giant Head; Veloxherc; AK2KX; Dead Dog; dalereed; gatorbait; Brian Allen; skinkinthegrass; AntiKev; Rev DMV; narby; IGOTMINE; banjo joe; dutchess; Denver Ditdat; countess; Conspiracy Guy; taildragger; holden; aeronaut; Deek; luigi; Moose4; linear; TMSuchman; freedom4ever; cmsgop; KevinDavis; elbucko; Egil; GBA; U S Army EOD; TopDog2; bushbiker; Squawk 8888; TheCause; Chuckster; B4Ranch; GhostSoldier; Pirate at Forty; Robert Warren Linville; yoe; AnalogReigns; cibersnot; Tree of Liberty; KangarooJacqui; willstayfree; Rome2000; VORTAC; Timm; Travis McGee; snopercod; Egon; Jomers; Delta 21; Pusterfuss; Cobyok; agincourt1415; mcshot; ColoradoAce; Taxman; DuncanWaring; StudPilot; Walkingfeather; condi2008; investigateworld; IonImplantGuru; chuknospam; CFIIIMEIATP737; ZGuy; Turbopilot; Bramuce;Smile-n-Win; Miss Behave; Spanaway Lori; 1stFreedom; jaydubya2; Atlantic Friend; hattend; GoldCountryRedneck; Poundstone; Clive; pgobrien; Dan Middleton; stubernx98; Tallguy; CHICAGOFARMER; cardinal4; mike1sg; Fatalis; DYngbld; Timm; hindsfeetnhighplaces; Atchafalaya; buccaneer81; REDWOOD99; al baby; Tenth; jettester; Lovergirl; sd-joe; Steve0113; pad 34; MoodyBlu; X-USAF; acehai; bill1952; rube; BIGLOOK; Pylot; Dashing Dasher; fastattacksailor; Birdstrike; GoredInMich; SuperLuminal; joesnuffy; eddiespaghetti; Ghengis; onedoug; lindor; NY Attitude; spower; freeplancer; RightWingRadio; Kevin OMalley; SweetPilotofCanuckistan; darkwing104; mastercylinder; nicollo; fallujah-nuker; aviator; baltodog; American Vet Repairman; Babu; wingnut1971; gwmoore; Seaplaner; meeps; F14 Pilot; Semper Vigilantis; ekidsohbelaas; Max in Utah; LurkedLongEnough; norton; spectr17; Mustng959; Josef1235; Central Scrutiniser; GunRunner; CarryaBigStick; AFreeBird; Boss_Jim_Gettys; peter the great; Maynerd; TLOne; TheRedSoxWinThePennant; ex-Texan; expat_brit; cpdiii; Jet Jaguar; swordfish71; thedilg; thchronic; NASBWI; skybird1; Habibi; A_Conservative_Chinese; raygun; mr_hammer; rlmorel; Arjun; firehunter; neutrality; grjr21; herewego; ducdriver; thedilg; easymoney; cll; MindBender26; aktab; faux_hog; mhking; Yo-Yo; dcwusmc; Texas WOP; phantomworker; Zavien Doombringer; zipper; wildcatf4f3; MortMan; Jaxter; expat_panama; LLoyd George; ZULU; Northern Yankee; oxcart; mabelkitty; redherring; CIApilot; George76; Brofholdonow; Khashayar; cdgent; Tasha Dasha Doo; BulletBobCo; bad company; ExSES; KeyLargo; bboop; samson1097; Joe Boucher; NinoFan; KeyesPlease; rmlew; man from mars; wita; tubebender; Gator113; bwteim; skinkinthegrass; BritExPatInFla; Kevmo; doorgunner69; DesScorp; Halgr; ShorelineMike; Darth Tokarev; agent_delta; Brad’s Gramma; 04-Bravo; wolficatZ; MikeGranby; CaliGirlGodHelpMe; austinmark; LeGrande; Kimberly GG; pops88; Coupe Flyer; Habibi;Monkey Face

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.