Zeppelin NT – the flying laboratory

The Zeppelin NT Type LZ N07 has become an efficient and effective research and scientific platform. Due to its remarkable flight characteristics and its impressive flight performance, the Zeppelin NT allows fields of application that can neither be accomplished in this quality by an aircraft nor by a helicopter.

 

Apart from its comfortable and roomy cabin, the following characteristics are decisive for its suitability and success as a mission platform:

• long flight duration (up to 20 hours, depending on the payload)
• additional tanks in the cabin as an option (2x 185 gallons) for long-term missions
• hovering while precisely maintaining the current position and precision landing (VTOL)
• extreme low-speed flight even at low heights
• low noise emissions (69.4 dB(A)) during overflight even at full power
• low-vibration cabin (max. 0.02 g on the seat rail).
• low noise level in the cabin (64.5 dB(A))
• high safety standards due to its rigid internal structure
• low operating costs and low demand of infrastructure on the ground
• high payload (up to 2.3 t (4190 lbs))
• operational safety over densely populated areas even in case of engine failure
• flawless vertical flight and measuring profiles possible
• high flexibility in cabin layout and short conversion times
• optional top platform to be mounted on the upper longeron
• simple ground handling with a small staff (only three crew members)
• off-field landings in suitable terrain without any problems

The Zeppelin NT has ex factory substantial mechanisms to perform special missions with, among others, the following devices:

• special mountings for professional gyro-stabilised cameras (certifications for Wescam MX-15 and Gyron HD 935 have been approved)
• suspension point for a nose measuring mast at the bow of the cabin
• suspension point for a top platform on the upper longeron for up to 6 measuring racks, sensors and measuring devices with a maximum system weight of 450 kg (992 lbs)
• several suspension points at the envelope

The electrical equipment also meets the requirements of a flying high-tech laboratory and offers:

• interfaces to the airship's avionics (navigation, GPS, radio, flight data display unit and position indicator)
• standard external power supply (5 kVA)
• additional power supply (8 kVA) as an option

The new cabin of the Zeppelin NT has a volume of 29 m³ (1024 cu ft) and offers free movement for the scientists apart from the integrated measuring equipment (racks mounted at the seat rails), more than the previous cabin with its 26 m³ (918 cu ft). The most important equipment features are:

• large panorama windows
• wide opening doors with integrated tilting windows
• a hatch (490 x 690 mm (19.3 x 27.2 in))
• fixed mounting of up to 6 device racks
• on-board toilet
• heating (optional)