Flight tests for world’s largest aircraft

Pathfinder 1, a prototype electric airship designed to provide disaster relief where roads and airports are impassable, as well as zero-carbon passenger transportation, has begun flight tests in Silicon Valley

U.S.
Moffett Field
San Francisco
  
Project backed by Google co-founder Sergey Brin (above left)
 
PATHFINDER 1 FEATURES
Outer covering: Laminated Tedlar – lightweight and non- flammable

Nose cone: Titanium, aluminium, kevlar and carbon fibre safety mooring – can withstand 130km/h winds

Gas cells: 13 ripstop nylon bags, filled with around 28,000m3 of helium, provide lift and buoyancy
                
Landing gear: Zeppelin NT airship system, customised for heavier loads

Propulsion: 12 electric motors rotate from +180° to -180° for effective direction control

Lidar: Sensors calculate volume of helium to help pilots balance airship

  124.5 metres (longer than 3 Boeing 737-800s)
                     
Sources: TechCrunch, LTA Research Pictures: LTA Research, Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS