The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is planning on using airships for missions to the Earth's stratosphere. NASA calls on anyone that can provide information on how to do this. The prize money: US$2 million to US$3 million.

The airship could be a very interesting tool for NASA if its Jet Propulsion Laboratory can meet the challenge of building an airship that can break stratospheric records.

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NASA's interest in airships stems from the potential they have in scientific research. These aircraft can remain in the air for long periods of time and can keep a stable position, as well.

"We are seeking to take astronomy and Earth science to new heights by enabling a long-duration, suborbital platform for these kinds of research," explained Jason Rhodes, an astrophysicist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

JPL will take full advantage of the airship's capabilities by attaching a telescope to one of these ships. With this, scientists will get high-resolution images and detailed data about stars and celestial bodies.

In addition, scientists could use airships as floating weather stations to obtain information about weather changes and when natural disasters like cyclones occur.

The challenge is split into two tiers. The first tier is all about developing an airship that can carry as much as 44 pounds while successfully reaching and remaining at an altitude of 65,000 feet for 20 hours.

The second tier will increase the capacity of the airship to 440 pounds for about 200 hours.

Rhodes says 65,000 feet is the optimum altitude for the airship since it's the highest possible altitude an airship can reach while still having the wind it needs for propulsion.

TagsNASA, Airships, Stratosphere