"Google Co-founder Backs World's Largest Airship: Massive 400ft Aircraft Unveiled"
The world's largest airship, Pathfinder 1, has been unveiled for flight tests. Backed by Google co-founder Sergey Brin, the 400-ft-long blimp uses helium and 12 electric motors for vertical take-off and speeds of up to 75mph. Created by LTA Research, the airship aims to reduce the carbon footprint of air travel and shipping. While the Hindenburg disaster in 1937 involved flammable hydrogen, the Pathfinder 1 uses safe helium stored in 13 airbags. The blimp is currently restricted to hovering a few feet off the ground but is being tested for higher altitudes and longer distances. LTA Research is also working on an even larger aircraft called the Pathfinder 3.