NASA launched its first airborne science mission aboard a zeppelin earlier this week when scientists took off from Moffett Field to study environmental conditions in the Bay Area.

On Tuesday, the crew embarked on an eight-hour flight aboard the Eureka, a 246-foot Zeppelin NT, which last year became the first zeppelin to fly in the United States in more than 70 years.

Scientists from NASA Ames Research Center's Earth Science Division at Moffett Field are taking advantage of the vessel's unique characteristics, including its high maneuverability and capability to fly at low altitudes, to measure solar and thermal radiation and gather atmospheric samples of aerosols and gas constituents.

"We are very interested in the unique capabilities of the Zeppelin to enable remote sensing and atmospheric science measurements not previously practical," Stephen Dunagan, a research scientist at NASA Ames, said in a statement.

During Tuesday's flight, scientists studied salt ponds in the South Bay, harmful algae bloom organisms in Monterey Bay, and searched the region for subsurface natural gas pipeline leaks that cause plant root poisoning.

The flight was the first conducted as part of an agreement between NASA and Airship Ventures, which owns the zeppelin.

In November 2008, the Eureka began carrying passengers for tours around the Bay Area. It is the only zeppelin offering public flights in the U.S.

NASA has more research planned on the vessel in the future, including atmospheric sampling collection and electromagnetic field observation.

"We often talk about the airship's stability, maneuverability and panoramas as benefits to sightseeing passengers when, in fact, they are just as beneficial to scientific work," said Alexandra Hall, Airship Ventures CEO.

"Working with NASA and other esteemed scientific organizations, we will demonstrate that the airship's flight characteristics not only make it a great way to see the world, but also to understand it better," Hall said.

— Bay City News Service