# Killer Blimp over Pennsylvania! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 28, 2015, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999 "2015-10-28T18:58:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/41 "2015-10-28T21:08:38Z")
They’re “aerostats” technically. They are shaped like blimps, but they can’t actually be flown around. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/42 "2015-10-28T21:11:47Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Are these really blimps or tethered instrument balloons? They are unmanned and without remote control so it sound like they have more in common with Barrage or Weather Balloons. They’re called aerostats and they are tethered (most of the time…) balloons the length of two football fields. As I understand it from the reporting they contain radar units to watch for things like cruise missiles which can come in very low and very fast and could therefore remain undetected without some kind of high altitude platform watching for them. ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/43 "2015-10-28T21:15:03Z")
This brings up an interesting question: why are they designed in a blimplike shape, with tail fins on one end? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/44 "2015-10-28T21:16:02Z")
“The mother ship the mother ship The brothers hid under their hood From the blimp the blimp Children stop yer nursin’ unless yer renderin’ fun The mother ship The mother ship’s the one [The blimp the blimp](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpA4XpnnI_U)” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/45 "2015-10-28T21:36:44Z")
> [@WF\_Tomba](#): > > This brings up an interesting question: why are they designed in a blimplike shape, with tail fins on one end? To keep them pointed into the wind, so the radar can keep a reasonably steady orientation. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/46 "2015-10-28T21:39:22Z")
> [@WF\_Tomba](#): > > This brings up an interesting question: why are they designed in a blimplike shape, with tail fins on one end? WAG, To act like a weather vane and always be pointing into the wind?😕 ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/47 "2015-10-28T21:40:54Z")
> [@WF\_Tomba](#): > > This brings up an interesting question: why are they designed in a blimplike shape, with tail fins on one end? I assume to keep them always facing in one direction rather than spinning around. Although it seems like you could do that more reliably by anchoring them with two cables, one on each end, but maybe there are problems with doing that (other than knocking down twice as many electrical pylons). ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/48 "2015-10-28T21:51:08Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I assume to keep them always facing in one direction rather than spinning around. Although it seems like you could do that more reliably by anchoring them with two cables, one on each end, but maybe there are problems with doing that (other than knocking down twice as many electrical pylons). To answer my own question, trying to stabilize them with two cables (or even more than two) would present a problem when the wind is blowing directly against the side of the aerostat. That would tend to displace it horizontally or at least put a lot of stress on both the balloon and the cables. Letting it turn to face the wind (but not continuously spin) would cut down on the stresses. That would mean that it wasn’t always facing the same direction, but there are certainly ways for the instrumentation to detect current orientation and compensate for it. ---
**Author:** ![Marine\_One](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marine_one/32/3461_2.png) [@Marine\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marine_One)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/49 "2015-10-28T22:34:43Z")
They were ready to call Tom Brady to bring it down. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/50 "2015-10-28T22:51:53Z")
They might want to consider some sort of remote cable release in case of future runaway aerostats. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/51 "2015-10-28T23:19:19Z")
Blimps vs tethered instrument balloons really isn’t an either/or question. “Blimp” came from “B Limp”, the second in a series of non-rigid airships. Non-rigid as in no internal frame, or at least, not nearly as much as a zeppelin had. This particular one has no means of propulsion and was tethered. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/52 "2015-10-28T23:23:38Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > They might want to consider some sort of remote cable release in case of future runaway aerostats. I think they’re more likely to go with some sort of remotely controlled valve to vent the helium to the atmosphere to deal with future runaway aerostats. This one ascended to 16,000 ft before it started losing altitude. It’s operational altitude was 10,000 ft. My guess is at 16K, the gas expanded enough to blow a seam or tear a hole in a gasbag. ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/53 "2015-10-29T00:00:18Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Blimps vs tethered instrument balloons really isn’t an either/or question. “Blimp” came from “B Limp”, the second in a series of non-rigid airships. Non-rigid as in no internal frame, or at least, not nearly as much as a zeppelin had. This particular one has no means of propulsion and was tethered. > **[What is the etymology of the word blimp?](https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-etymology-of-the-word-blimp)** > > Answer (1 of 3): I heard this one from my husband, so if you don't agree take it up with him! He says airships used to be classified as one of two types: type A-rigid (meaning reinforced, like the Hindenburg) or type B-limp. Hence BLIMP. Get it?... There are a few different theories about the word origin. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/54 "2015-10-29T00:01:57Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > They might want to consider some sort of remote cable release in case of future runaway aerostats. So you could drop two miles of cable onto the ground from a great height all at once? Excellent idea. ---
**Author:** ![piepiepie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47774/32.png) [@piepiepie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piepiepie)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/55 "2015-10-29T00:05:18Z")
I live close enough to APG. My newsfeed is full of blimp memes. This is the most newsiest thing to happen around these parts in a long while. ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/56 "2015-10-29T00:13:08Z")
> [@piepiepie](#): > > I live close enough to APG. My newsfeed is full of blimp memes. This is the most newsiest thing to happen around these parts in a long while. Probably the biggest (and strangest) story since Cal Ripken’s mother got kidnapped. ---
**Author:** ![piepiepie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47774/32.png) [@piepiepie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piepiepie)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/57 "2015-10-29T00:16:24Z")
> [@WF\_Tomba](#): > > Probably the biggest (and strangest) story since Cal Ripken’s mother got kidnapped. Oh yeah. That sure was something. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/58 "2015-10-29T04:06:08Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > 2 miles of heavy cable dragging along the ground! It’s like a bad disaster movie. I hope no one gets hurt. Manned helium balloons will use a heavy drag rope to slow them down before landing. Of course it’s not 2 miles long & they intentionally try to _avoid_ power lines. > [@WF\_Tomba](#): > > They’re “aerostats” technically. They are shaped like blimps, _but they can’t actually be flown around_. Well they can, _IF_ someone lets go of the kite string. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/59 "2015-10-29T04:31:35Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > My bad. Sorry. Whew, that’s a relief. I was certain you were its first victim. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999/60 "2015-10-29T06:15:43Z")
My son trains on the pair south of Aberdeen. The escaped aerostat was not one of his; the escapee was in actual service doing it’s “protect America” mission. They have radar, optical, IR sensors. Lots of use in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some ships are equipped with an aerostat as well. I couldn’t resist riddling him with updates and casualty figures throughout the day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-blimp-over-pennsylvania/735999.md?page=4)