China's self-developed floating airship breaks record

Photo taken on May 14, 2022 shows the Chinese-developed floating airship "Jimu No.1" type III at the launch site in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

China's self-developed floating airship, designed for atmosphere observation, reached a record altitude of 9,032 meters in Tibet Autonomous Region on Sunday, according to its developer.

Developed by the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the floating airship "Jimu No.1" type III has a volume of 9,060 cubic meters.

The floating airship can collect data at high altitude, which is used to track the regional water cycle and monitor changes in atmospheric composition.

The project, as part of China's second scientific research survey of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, was carried out by 64 scientists from several Chinese research institutions.

The floating airship will provide vital data on the water source of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and contribute to tackling the chain effects of water, ecology and human activities under climate change, said Yao Tandong, an academician at CAS and team leader of the second scientific research survey of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.