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Sergey Brin, one of Google’s co-founders, stepped down from his role as the president of Alphabet in December 2019. His focus shifted to his high-tech airship venture, LTA Research. In a recent development, LTA Research has successfully obtained a one-year airworthiness certificate for its groundbreaking Pathfinder 1 airship.
The CEO and founder of Lighter Than Air (LTA) Research, Alan Weston, brings a wealth of experience. He has worked in the Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA Ames Research Center, and the Florida Space Institute at UCF. Weston’s vision for this company revolves around exploring the potential of low-emission alternative-powered airships.
Through Weston’s research into airship designs, he recognized their potential in humanitarian and disaster relief efforts. Sergey Brin, who shares a deep appreciation for aviation, backed the project in 2015. As a result, LTA established an R&D facility in Akron, Ohio, and a hangar in Mountain View, California, by 2016.
Construction of the 400-foot Pathfinder 1, with its impressive 66-foot diameter and electric power source, began soon after Brin’s involvement. This airship has a rigid structure featuring an interior framework of interconnected tubes. Moreover, the rigidity gives it superior structural strength compared to traditional balloon-like blimps.
Pathfinder 1 airship boasts twelve electric motors. Each provides efficient power and the ability to rotate 360 degrees for precise control. Its inner rib cage consists of 13 mainframes made up of 3,000 titanium hubs and 10,000 multi-ply carbon fiber-reinforced tubes. The airship also features 13 helium bags to provide the necessary lift and is equipped with all-terrain landing gear. The goal is for Pathfinder 1 to accommodate 14 people and carry up to 11,000 pounds of cargo.
LTA Research is committed to building a fleet of zero-emission airships, all focusing on humanitarian efforts
According to LTA’s certificate application, “Pathfinder 1’s experimental flight test program is designed to demonstrate and establish the flight envelope for the airship. LTA’s test plan includes substantial indoor and outdoor ground testing, using a build-up approach to gradually expand the flight envelope.”
The Pathfinder 1 airship stands out due to its impressive cargo capacity and ability to operate without an airstrip. The certificate qualifies LTA to conduct 25 low-level flights, totaling 50 hours of flight time, within Moffett Field, a military airfield located in Santa Clara, California. LTA Research has been quietly developing these airships for years, and now, the Pathfinder 1 is finally ready for its first flight.
This airworthiness certificate is not only pivotal for the Pathfinder 1 but will also yield crucial data for future research and development of airships. LTA expects to complete the Pathfinder 1’s test program within 180 days.
The Pathfinder 1 airship has clearance to fly at a maximum altitude of 1,500 feet within the airspace of Moffett Field and the Palo Alto airport. These tests conducted under the airworthiness certificate will generate invaluable data to advance the development of low-emission airships. With their potential for reaching hard-to-access regions, airships hold the promise of revolutionizing the delivery of resources, making this a project to root for.