Lighter-than-Air (LTA)

Lighter-than-Air (LTA) refers to vehicles like hot air balloons and airships that float because their overall density is less than the surrounding air. They achieve this by filling their envelopes with a gas—such as hot air, helium, or hydrogen—that is lighter than air. This difference in density creates buoyant lift, allowing the craft to rise and stay aloft with minimal effort. LTA vehicles are used for transportation, surveillance, and research, leveraging the natural buoyancy of lighter gases to navigate the skies without engines needing to counteract gravity directly.