Every move must be correct, and each team member must understand their role in an emergency. For this reason, the Humanilog team (Humanitarian Logistics Organisation) in Hamburg enacted a deployment scenario with a civil protection organisation in mid-July. "The joint training benefits both parties. The Humanilog team practises the procedures during the mission, while the disaster relief workers learn to operate the balloon," said Alexander von Gablenz, Humanilog's Director of Rescue Technology. The eight-metre-wide balloon is positioned and controlled using a cable system and mobile motorised winches. The entire system is mounted on a 2.5-tonne all-terrain trailer, which also serves as a platform for assembly and disassembly. "Setting up straight from the trailer without unloading first saves valuable time," said von Gablenz, who, as the son of Cargolifter founder Carl-Heinrich von Gablenz, is very familiar with the system. "We worked with ground anchors that are screwed into the ground — just as we would expect in real locations." As there was no suitable training area in Hamburg, the team moved to Hof Viehbrook, a cultural, educational and adventure centre in rural Plön, Schleswig-Holstein. "If anyone can provide a site with a non-asphalted surface for training, please contact Humanilog," said von Gablenz.
"The world is getting hotter, resulting in severe thunderstorms, hurricanes and floods," read the headline of reinsurer Munich Re's 2024 natural catastrophe balance sheet. "Companies must prepare for more severe weather catastrophes." Rescue systems, for instance, can be deployed in the event of devastation when roads and bridges are destroyed. If infrastructure is destroyed, help arrives by helicopter and perhaps in the shape of the Humanilog rescue balloon in future. Cargolifter's AirKules rescue balloon system is fastened to the ground like a "flying crane" with portable cable winches. It is equipped with communication, lighting and observation systems, and could be used in remote areas affected by natural disasters or for flood defence in populated regions.
Training areas needed
Hydrogen as a carrier gas
This innovative balloon system is fuelled by hydrogen. Helium is also a possibility, albeit the costs and helium reserves are limited as hydrogen production is being expanded worldwide. The lifting gas is transported on a trailer in specially developed, lightweight storage tanks. "The balloon can transport loads of up to 200 kilograms over several hundred metres — from tools and materials to search dogs and injured people," said von Gablenz. Another possible use is to illuminate the area of operation at night in the event of major emergencies. "We trained with a Powermoon. This powerful, battery-powered LED lamp by Powermoon GmbH can illuminate an area of up to one hectare — as bright as a the sun."
Real-time scenario
Von Gablenz can envisage a real-life lighting scenario soon. "The training sessions have proven very promising. Even though we still have a lot of development work ahead of us, the first use of our rescue system is within reach." The Humanilog balloon could also help with clear-up operations. "It is ideal for removing debris. It can lift up parts that excavators cannot reach due to their short grab length and without vibrations." Asked about his vision for the Humanilog balloon in 2035, von Gablenz said: "By then, the system will be well-established and proven in various fields of application. Unfortunately, global demand is already there."
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Sources and further information
Project funded from donations
The entire project relies on donations. The rescue balloon cannot be developed. tested and become operational without financial support. "Anyone who wants to help can donate to the future of modern rescue technology. Every payment counts," Zeineb Ghanemi, Project Manager, stressed.
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