LTA Research and Exploration, LLC, backed by Google Founder Sergey Brin, has rolled out Pathfinder 1, a large diesel-electric airship lifted by helium, 122 meters long and 20 meters in diameter.
Not exactly a blimp, massive airship debuts at Moffett Field in Mountain View
“LTA, which got its start in 2016, is … on a mission to develop zero-carbon airships. At 400-feet in length, Pathfinder 1 has the potential to transport massive amounts of cargo and passengers over large distances, making it a good fit for humanitarian purposes too.”
Mountain View Voice, November 22, 2023
I like the idea of slower travel, if the carbon footprint is less than current aviation and shipping, especially for humanitarian missions. (“Cargo and passengers” sounds more like our current addiction to the global supply chain and needless globe-hopping.)
But this prototype isn’t yet anywhere near zero-carbon:
For now, a pair of diesel generators fastened within the airship’s body sends juice to banks of lithium-ion batteries that run the propellers. Solar panels on top of the airship will provide extra energy.
Bloomsberg Businessweek, May 20, 2023, PDF available from LTA
I haven’t heard how much of the power can be supplied by the solar panels. (Or the carbon footprint of the batteries and solar panels. Or how much diesel is required for normal operation.) I might try to drill down on the LTA web site to see how much detail they provide.
I wonder how it can carry 200 tons of cargo! Not inside the envelope, I think. So a sling load, like a helicopter? How much would that hurt the diesel fuel economy? How much would heavy cargo further limit the airship’s already limited ability to operate in wind and weather?
The airship has limited approval for testing from FAA:
Google Founder’s Airship Gets FAA Clearance
“The (special airworthiness) certificate permits LTA to fly Pathfinder 1 within the boundaries of Moffett Field and neighboring Palo Alto airport’s airspaces, at a height of up to 460 meters (1,500 feet). That will let it venture out over the southern part of San Francisco Bay, without interfering with planes flying into or out of San Jose and San Francisco International commercial airports.”
IEEE Spectrum, October 25, 2023
In any case, it’s fun to hear about airships flying again at Moffett Field!