The Cradles rely on two distinct sources of power. The primary power sources of the Cradles are ground-based power production facilities known as Arteria, which transmit power to the airships through microwaves. The secondary power sources are hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen for the Cradles is obtained from two sources: either from directly electrolyzing moisture in the atmosphere, or transporting it from ground sources. If the power to the Cradles from the Arteria facilities is cut, the airships are designed to glide back down the ground using their fuel cells as emergency power. However, if the engines are destroyed directly, then the cradles lose their ability to glide and come crashing back down.