Special missions with the Zeppelin NT

Since its commissioning in summer 2001, the Zeppelin has successfully been used in several areas:

• Broadcasting platform with live image and audio broadcasting at mega events (FIFA Confederation Cup 2005)

• Detection of jamming transmitters
• Satellite simulation in the Galileo Project
• Gamma cartography of Paris in 2011 (Eurosentielle)
• Reflectometry (reflection of GPS signals for the modulation of terrain contours as a prestage for a satellite-based Tsunami warning system)

• Microgravimetry and measurements of the terrestrial magnetic field in the context of mineralogical prospection from the air (Botswana 2005, 2007)

• Police supervision at mega events (Fête de la musique in Paris 2005, papal visit in Cologne 2005 and Football World Cup 2006)

• Compilation of vertical profiles in the lower planetary boundary layer, atmospheric chemistry and tropospheric research, exploration of free radicals, trace gases and aerosols, as well as the compilation of photochemical and meteorological measurement series (Jülich Research Center in 2007 and 2008). During these missions, the Zeppelin NT was equipped with highly complex, active and passive sensors, as well as with measuring devices of different manufacturers and it also participated in multinational research projects (e.g. "SMART", "Eye in the Sky", "Galileo", "FOGL", "TRACKS", "COPS", "AIRLif", etc.).

When evaluating the results, the industry and scientists were more than satisfied with the potential of the platform. Measurement series, such as vertical profiles, would not have been possible with a different aircraft.

In autumn 2007, the French government launched an invitation of tendering within the national Homeland Security Program with the view to validate the Zeppelin NT for specific missions in the fight against terrorism. In the long run, French metropolises are regularly monitored and overflown by a suitable platform, which is equipped with the SENTINUC and SENTITOX reconnaissance systems. The focus of the monitoring is lying on the localization of radioactive sources (Gamma radiation from "dirty bombs") as well as in the visualization of toxic and war gas that has been criminally released.

The results speak for the special suitability of the Zeppelin NT as a science platform and recommend it for new missions in the following fields of technical or scientific applications:

• air-based archeology
• exploration of natural resources (prospection)
• cartography and measurings
• oceanography and polar research
• monitoring flights over pipelines and powerlines
• border surveillance and defence against illegal immigration
• combating smuggling and drugs
• surveillance of waterways and fisheries
• detection and measuring of minefields
• flying operation center in disaster areas
• flying relay station and TV broadcasting platform
• early warning center for wildfires
• environmental protection (water conservation, air monitoring, environmental anomalies, etc.)
• environmental research (causes and impacts of climate change)
• establishment of environmental liabilities registers (heavy-metal pollution, ordnance from earlier wars)
• geo sciences (reflectometry and geodesy)
• police deployments (supervision flights at mega events, demonstrations, sports events, and summit meetings), etc.