AIRSHIP Act

The AIRSHIP Act (HR 9381) directs NASA to expand its aeronautical research to include airships, specifically authorizing the agency to establish competitive grant programs for research teams from universities, industry, and government. It amends existing law to add "airship" to NASA's research focus areas for cargo transportation and disaster response applications, alongside existing rotorcraft and fixed-wing vehicles. The bill creates new mechanisms for funding airship technology development through grants, aiming to advance sustainable air cargo and humanitarian aid delivery concepts. It does not fund actual airship production or mandate new infrastructure, focusing solely on research pathways. The primary direct effect is on NASA’s research priorities and eligible grant applicants.