We all are familiar with the term “aerodynamics” which is study of gas’s interaction with moving body, but what about the term "aerostatics"? Aerostatics is the study of gases which aren’t moving in respective of their co-ordinate system. Lets get to aerostatics later, for now lets refresh our knowledge about lift!
Video Credits: Mac Byers
How is lift generated?
In airplanes lift is normally generated by wings, and by rotors in helicopters. Airfoil is the key factor of wings/ rotors which generate lift by... interaction with moving air. Aerodynes also known as heavier than air aircrafts use this technique to generate lift. Do you know that lift can also be generated without relative motion, wonder how?
Aerostatic Lift
A lift generated by buoyant force is known as “Aerostatic Lift”. Have you ever blown a balloon and flew it with a tether , its how the buoyant force works. Buoyancy is also known as upward thrust. Aerostats are lighter than air aircraft which fly using aerostatic lift.
Video Credits: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Do you know balloon is also an aerostat! There are three types of aerostats namely
- Powered aerostat
- Un- Powered aerostat
- Hybrid aerostat
Balloon is an un-powered aerostat, airship is a powered aerostat and Kytoon is a hybrid aerostat. Kytoon is a combination of kite and balloon at is generates lift both statically anddynamically.
Innovative and futuristic!
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