On a clear Tuesday morning, the skies over San Francisco were graced by an unusual sight—a large, white airship gliding gracefully above the cityscape. Residents from various vantage points in Oakland and the western reaches of Alameda gazed upwards as the dirigible made its way over the city shortly before 10 a.m.

This impressive aircraft, known as Pathfinder 1, is the brainchild of LTA Research, a forward-thinking aviation startup co-founded by Google’s Sergey Brin. Contrary to initial appearances, this is no ordinary blimp; its sophisticated design incorporates a rigid internal structure, distinguishing it from typical helium airships. This advanced structure allows Pathfinder 1 to undertake journeys over broader areas, a feat made possible by the recent renewal of its Airworthiness Certificate, as announced on LTA’s LinkedIn page.