Patent ID: 8894002

Claim:
A solar-powered airship comprising: a hull configured to contain a gas; at least one propulsion assembly including a propulsion device, and one or more electric motors operatively coupled to the at least one propulsion device and configured to drive the propulsion device; a power supply system including a plurality of solar panels operatively coupled to the one or more electric motors, and configured to substantially cover a top surface of the hull and a pair of horizontal stabilizing members to supply power to the one or more electric motors for driving the at least one propulsion device, and one or more batteries operatively coupled to the plurality of solar panels and configured to receive and store electrical energy supplied by the plurality of solar panels, the one or more batteries being further operatively coupled to the one or more electric motors and configured to supply power to the electric motors; wherein the one or more batteries are each located within an outer envelope of the airship defined by the hull in a respective position providing ballast; and a cargo system including at least one cargo compartment configured to contain at least one of passengers or freight, wherein the at least one cargo compartment includes a first cargo compartment and a second cargo compartment disposed substantially within the outer envelope of the airship; and wherein the first cargo compartment is positioned in a front portion of the hull and the second cargo compartment is positioned in a rear portion of the hull.