Ballastvekt

Ballastvekt refers to the weight added to a vessel or aircraft to improve its stability or trim. In naval architecture, ballast is typically material such as sand, gravel, or water loaded into the hull of a ship. This added weight lowers the center of gravity, increasing the vessel's stability and preventing it from capsizing, especially in rough seas or when carrying a light cargo. Ballast water is a common form of ballast, pumped into and out of dedicated tanks as needed. The management of ballast water is also an important environmental consideration, as it can transport invasive species between different marine ecosystems.

In aviation, ballast is less common but can be used in specific circumstances, such as testing aircraft structures or achieving a desired weight and balance configuration during flight. For example, weight might be added to an aircraft to simulate the presence of passengers or cargo for certification purposes. Similarly, in certain types of gliders or experimental aircraft, ballast might be employed to adjust the center of gravity for optimal flight characteristics or to compensate for imbalances. The principle remains the same: adding mass to achieve a specific stability or handling requirement.