A sleek, futuristic sky yacht may soon become the transportation method of choice for a German businessman, who teamed up with Italian designer Pierpaolo Lazzarini to design the 500-foot vessel. Propulsion on the yacht will be eight counter-rotating electric engines powered by batteries and solar panels, which will allow the vessel to sail through the sky or the sea at 60 knots for more than two days straight.
The sky yacht will be built from carbon fiber and will consist of three main parts: a central compartment with a living and dining area, and two helium blimps that contain 10 suites. The three sections will be connected with four carbon bridges on each side. The blimps contain 14,125,867 square feet of helium to help the vessel float in the air, and two balloon-like compartments on either side of the yacht allow it to float on water.
According to Lazzarini, the first model prototype of this estimated $627,511,500 yacht will be in the air later this year. A collection of slightly different designs of various lengths are in the early phases of prototyping as well. Who knows—this just may be the transportation method of the future.
