[wdrw]

Hindenburg jokes aside, how do you ensure safety? Even if you only inspect infrastructure away from human habitation, there's still the risk of forest fires and such if there is an accident.

[__MatrixMan__]

I've flown hydrogen balloons before (just because it was cheaper than helium--although you do need different fittings for the tank). I've also lit them on fire just to see what happend.

I don't think they're as dangerous as people think. If they ignite they go up in a whoosh, not a bang. The only debris is your payload, now falling. So as as your payload is not also made out of flammable material (as was the case with the Hindenburg) then I don't think it's any more of a fire threat than having power lines near trees is in the first place. Up is conveniently the right direction for a ball of flame.

Of course all of this goes out the window if you let it become entangled in a tree...

[ThomasLaporte]

That's awesome! In what situation did you had the opportunity to fly a H2 balloon?

Do you have any video that you could share about the lighting on fire of the balloon?

[ThomasLaporte]

Safety is the most important thing when it comes to aerial industry. We are working with people who are manufacturing their own H2 gas balloons that litterally fly with people in it. Check it out: https://balloonfiesta.com/Gordon-Bennett-2023 There are special materials and glue that ensure safety from electricity and fire hazards (antistatic material). The people building their balloons use that kind of materials and it works!

[hedora]

Most people don't realize that the paint they used to seal the shell of the Hindenburg is a popular solid rocket fuel. The hydrogen was the least of their problems during that crash.

[BenjiWiebe]

Citation needed. I googled it and it appears to be a common myth.

(Aluminum powder is used in propellant, it was used to coat the Hindenburg, therefore the Hindenburg was coated in rocket propellant.)