Google Co-Founder's Proof-Of-Concept Airship, Pathfinder 1, Earns Airworthiness Certificate

Google co-founder Sergey Brin‘s airship builder company, LTA Research, has been granted airworthiness certificate to commence outdoor flights for its proof-of-concept airship Pathfinder 1.

What Happened: The company said in a post on LinkedIn, “We are proud to share that we received our airworthiness certificate for Pathfinder 1! This is an exciting milestone for the whole team as we continue to conduct flight tests and training.”

LTA Research, founded in 2016 by Brin, is dedicated to developing next-generation airships aimed at bolstering humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts.”

About Pathfinder 1: Pathfinder 1, the proof of concept airship constructed inside a Mountain View, California hangar, features a wind-resistant nose cone capable of withstanding speeds up to 80 mph, 12 electric motors and and is controlled by a fly-by-wire system that combines joystick commands from pilots.

The airship’s structure is reinforced by 13 circular mainframes, forming its ribcage to bear various loads. Additionally, it boasts 13 helium bags to ensure lift and buoyancy.

Further, it is 122 meters long and about 20 meters in diameter at its widest point. It achieved its indoor flight in Mountain View, California, earlier this year, paving the way for outdoor flight testing.

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Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons