The Pathfinder 1 airship, which takes off using helium, can carry 14 passengers and 2,000 – 5,000 kg of cargo, is preparing for its first outdoor flight.
Co-founder of Google, Sergey Brin, established LTA Research in 2015 and developed the massive hybrid airship prototype, Pathfinder 1. The vehicle aims to enhance disaster response and carbon-free cargo transport, as reported by New Atlas on October 27.
Pathfinder 1 airship in the hangar. (Photo: Lighter Than Air Research).
With a length of 124 meters and a diameter of 20 meters, Pathfinder 1 is significantly longer than the Airlander 10, although its width is nearly half. It may not be the largest airship in the world, but its size is still colossal, being almost twice the length of an Airbus A380. Pathfinder 1 features a frame constructed from 96 welded titanium tubes, connected by 289 reinforced carbon fiber tubes. These materials make the vehicle light enough to fly using helium instead of hydrogen as a lifting gas.
The outer shell of Pathfinder 1 is made from a thin, non-flammable Tedlar material. The vehicle is lifted by 13 tear-resistant nylon bags filled with helium and coated with urethane. Twelve electric propulsion engines protrude from the sides and rear of the airship, each capable of rotating 360 degrees to provide directional thrust and control. All engines are managed through an electronic flight control system and a simple multi-directional push button.
In addition to having a relatively large battery, Pathfinder 1 also operates with a 150 kW diesel generator, although the ultimate plan is to replace them with hydrogen fuel cells. The estimated maximum speed of the airship is 120 km/h, and the cabin can accommodate 14 passengers. LTA estimates the cargo capacity of the vehicle to be around 2,000 – 5,000 kg.
Pathfinder 1 has flown indoors earlier this year. The company has been granted special flight certification to operate the vehicle at altitudes below 460 meters, within the airspace of Moffett Field and the nearby Palo Alto Airport.
Pathfinder 1 is merely a proof-of-concept version. A larger model, Pathfinder 3, measuring 180 meters in length, is currently under development. LTA has acquired the Airdock hangar in Akron, Ohio, which is large enough to accommodate a hybrid airship up to 300 meters in length. According to LTA, their primary focus is humanitarian support. The airship can transport goods and people out of disaster-stricken areas when roads are destroyed. Additionally, the vehicle can transport cargo from one point to another. However, it must land if weather conditions are unfavorable.
