General Question

Aries7's avatar

Were hot air balloons ever used as a cargo transportation solution?

Asked by Aries7 (11points) October 11th, 2021

I am sure that there have been several small scale uses that are unrecorded. A balloon might be a better option for lifting than transporting. There have been hot air balloons used for Vertical Cargo Transportation. Isn’t it? Please let me konw, your opinion would be appreciated. Thanks

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9 Answers

Zaku's avatar

Ever? Maybe. But it’s a very problematic way to carry something from place to place. if you really mean an un-powered and un-tethered hot air balloon, as those are dependent on the wind for which direction they go, and they tend not to have much capacity, etc. That can be solved for short distances by tethering a balloon to the ground between desired landing points. Tethered hot air balloons are used sometimes to transport things UP, such as when assembling a tall tower construction.

However a powered balloon (a blimp or zeppelin), yes.

Actually, searching around, I did find at least one modern company claiming to do it, unless it’s a joke: https://www.magimpact.com/demo/vanguard/hot-air-balloon-transport-company/worldwide/ They guarantee they drop your package within 100 meters of your desired target.

LuckyGuy's avatar

@Zaku I looked around the site and somewhere they called it a demo website. I wish it were true. :-)

LuckyGuy's avatar

Google Project Loon does provide internet access to areas with no service. That seems like a great use!
They are lifting gigabytes of data, not cargo.

Zaku's avatar

Wow! Interesting…

Tropical_Willie's avatar

Not a hot air balloon but . . .
CargoLifter CL160 design

Call_Me_Jay's avatar

Not a hot air balloon

Also, not a “balloon” in aircraft terminology. Balloons float with the wind. If it can steer it’s an airship.

Apologies for the nitpicking, but I am fascinated by airships and read a lot about them.

Response moderated (Writing Standards)
Zaku's avatar

The Wikipedia page on airships: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airship

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