BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) -- China's self-developed floating airship that is used in the second comprehensive scientific expedition to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau reached a record altitude of 7,003 meters in Tibet Autonomous Region Thursday, according to its developer.
Developed by the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the floating airship named "Jimu No. 1" has a volume of 2,300 cubic meters. It can carry scientific instruments to conduct upper air observation and collect weather data.
The airships named "Jimu No. 2" and "Jimu No. 3" are also being developed. Jimu No. 2 is designed to operate at the altitude of 7,000 to 7,500 meters and Jimu No. 3 is expected to exceed the height of Mount Qomolangma.
The control system, power system and ground mooring facilities of the airships are independently developed by China.
The research mission aims to observe the climate change on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and provide support for its sustainable development.
