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Aerostat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An aerostat is a lighter than air craft including free balloons, airships, and moored balloons. Such a vehicle is lifted by buoyancy, containing a gas less dense than air within an envelope.
The term "aerostat" comes from the fact that buoyancy is technically said to provide "aerostatic" lift in that the force upwards arises without movement through the surrounding air mass. This contrasts with aerodynamic lift which requires the movement of at least some part of the aircraft through the surrounding air mass.
In technical usage, the term aerostat refers only to moored balloons. However, this article uses the term in its broader sense.
Tethered aerostats are in use as radar platforms (e.g., EL/M-2083 and the Tethered Aerostat Radar System).
Types of aerostats:
 Moored balloons can carry instruments and sensors for long durations that are impractical for other aircraft. |
 Free balloons are free moving, unpowered aerostats. The above is a hot air balloon. There are also gas balloons. |
 Airships are free flying aerostats that can be propelled and steered. |