Silicon Valley unveils first electric airship, Pathfinder 1

Aiming to revolutionize eco-friendly aviation, Silicon Valley startup LTA Research, backed by Google co-founder Sergey Brin, tested its electric airship Pathfinder 1 yesterday. The aircraft is longer than three Boeing 737s.

Pathfinder 1 is powered by twelve electric motors, enabling emission-free vertical takeoff and landing. The colossal vessel is constructed with innovative materials like carbon fiber and helium cells, resulting in a lighter weight than conventional aircraft.

The mammoth vessel’s FAA certificate limits it to 1,500-foot altitudes, but LTA Research has ambitious plans to expand airspace and scale. 

What’s next?
Sergey Brin wants to use the reportedly emission-free airship for rapid humanitarian relief in the long run.

Pathfinder 1 is currently capable of carrying over four tons. LTA Research aims to increase it to 200 tons in the future.

That might take a long time since unveiling the first model alone took “10 years of blood, sweat and tears,” LTA CEO Alan Weston told TechCrunch.

Pathfinder 3, an even more impressive creation, is on the horizon.