Nothing to it
Question: With the advent of modern materials, I wonder if it would be
possible to create a lighter-than-air machine containing a vacuum?
Atmospheric pressure would exert a huge force on the walls of the container,
but a lighter-than-air machine that can be controlled by removing air or
allowing it back in would be useful.
Answer: To keep the vessel light, the walls would have to be as thin as
possible and its shape spherical. If the stresses in the walls could be
accommodated, the vessel would become buoyant only if the mass of evacuated air
was at…
