by Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, has reportedly received clearance to begin outdoor flights of his ambitious airship project. Brin’s company, LTA Research, has been developing the Pathfinder 1 rigid airship prototype since 2015. The goal of the project is to improve disaster response times and enable zero-infrastructure cargo flights.
The Pathfinder 1 is an enormous aircraft, measuring 407 ft (124 m) long and 66 ft (20 m) in diameter. While it may not be the largest aircraft in the world, it is still quite massive, nearly double the length of an Airbus A380. The airship’s frame is constructed with 96 welded titanium hubs and 289 reinforced carbon fiber tubes, making it lightweight enough for helium lift.
The outer skin of the airship is made from non-flammable Tedlar material, providing a safe and reliable structure. It is lifted by 13 ripstop nylon bags filled with helium and coated in urethane. The Pathfinder 1 is powered by 12 electric propellers, each capable of rotating 360 degrees for precise thrust and position control. The airship is controlled by a fly-by-wire flight control system with simple joystick controls.
While the propulsion system is electric, the prototype also includes a pair of 150-kW diesel generators. However, LTA Research plans to replace these generators with hydrogen fuel cells in the future. The Pathfinder 1 has a top speed of around 75 mph (120 km/h) and a gondola cabin designed to carry up to 14 people. The cargo capacity is estimated to be between 4,400 – 11,000 lb (2,000-5,000 kg).
Currently based in Mountain View, California, the Pathfinder 1 has already completed indoor flights earlier this year. The company has now obtained the special airworthiness certificate necessary to begin outdoor flights below 1,500 ft (460 m) of altitude. The testing will take place within the boundaries of Moffett Field and the neighboring Palo Alto Airport’s airspace.
Despite its impressive capabilities, the Pathfinder 1 is just a proof of concept. LTA Research is already developing a larger airship, the Pathfinder 3, which will measure 591 ft (180 m) in length. The company has acquired the Airdock in Akron, Ohio, a hangar large enough to accommodate a 984-ft (300 m) airship, making it even larger than the Hindenburg-class airships of the 1930s.
LTA Research has emphasized its focus on humanitarian aid, as airships can transport bulk cargo and evacuate people from disaster areas where traditional means of transportation are impossible. The airships can also be used for slow point-to-point cargo operations, although they are dependent on weather conditions.
The return of these grand machines to the skies will surely be a remarkable sight. There are several programs currently working on reviving airships, and if you happen to spot the Pathfinder in person, feel free to share your experience with us!
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
