The 700ft super-airship with its fins and whale-like shape resembles Thunderbird 2. But, unlike the huge International Rescue rocket in the puppet series, this gigantic airship won’t be roaring off in a blast of flame and smoke to any international emergencies. Instead, its designers say it will gently lift 40 passengers into the sky for a serene cruise of the world. Massaud, the French company behind the venture, is billing it as an ecologically friendly way to travel, leaving little impact on the environment – and eliminating the need for hotels.
The airship is a floating hotel called the Manned Cloud, and – according to its designers – it will be capable of circling the globe in a few days. The 20 bedrooms will provide the ultimate room with a view as the airship cruises at a height of 18,000ft. It has a restaurant, a library, a lounge and a gym on the first deck. On the second level there will be 20 passenger rooms, terraces with panoramic windows, a spa and a bar room. The airship is powered by a giant rear propeller and also has two further engines pointing downwards for vertical take-off.
The Manned Cloud is almost 700ft long, 270ft wide and 170ft deep. It has a staff of 15 to look after the 40 passengers. Its makers say it will produce a top speed of 105mph and a cruising speed of 80mph. This means it could circle the globe in about ten days. It will be able to travel for 3,100 miles –or across the U.S. – before needing to be refueled.
However, if you’re thinking of checking in, you will have to wait until its expected launch date of 2020. Airships were the first aircraft to make controlled, powered flights, with French engineer Henri Giffard travelling 18 miles from Paris to Trappes in 1852.
