• 5too@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    Yep, airships aren’t overpressurized like a balloon - any leak will be extremely slow, as the heavier ambient air gradually displaces the helium inside the airship through whatever hole might be created. As I understand it, one of the big maintenance issues they have is even finding the holes from normal wear and tear. The usual failure scenarios involve storms with huge pressure changes.

    • 33550336@lemmy.worldOP
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      7 months ago

      Helium could be detected with some specialized detectors, but I suppose approximately – so, as you said, finding exact leak place is challenging.