How is helium used in airships?

The two primary lifting gases used by airships have been hydrogen and helium. Hydrogen is the earth's lightest element, and it can be obtained easily and inexpensively, but its flammability makes it unacceptable for manned airship operations. read more

Airship Gases - Helium The two lifting gases historically used in airships are hydrogen and helium. Hydrogen is less dense so it has slightly more lift, about 70 pounds per 1000 cubic feet of gas versus 65 for helium. read more

Helium is used now as the lifting gas for airships. The Envelope is now full of inert helium, as opposed to the extremely flammable hydrogen. Depending on the size of the Airship, the helium will either be filling cells within the envelope, or filling the entire envelope as one cell. read more

Hydrogen and Helium in Rigid Airship Operations The two primary lifting gases used by airships have been hydrogen and helium. Hydrogen is the earth’s lightest element, and it can be obtained easily and inexpensively, but its flammability makes it unacceptable for manned airship operations. read more