Experimental airship seen floating over San Francisco

📍 Location

📝 Description

Pathfinder 1 is a 400-foot (approximately 124 m) rigid airship developed by LTA Research & Exploration LLC (backed by Sergey Brin). It flies as part of an extended test program and first overflew the San Francisco Bay on May 15, 2025, outside the Moffett Federal Airfield perimeter, performing two loops over the bay before returning to base. Since then, the airship has been sighted over the San Francisco area in late 2025 (including near the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio area), confirming ongoing flight testing and an expanding operational envelope. The craft is helium-filled, uses a fly-by-wire control system, and is built from titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber, and a polymer shell, powered by 12 electric motors. The vehicle is approximately 400 feet long and utilizes 13 helium bags for lift. A companion training airship, the A-60, has also been observed in Silicon Valley. These activities are part of a publicly acknowledged program to explore lighter-than-air technology for future transport and logistics.

🔍 Circumstances

Public flight tests as part of LTA Research's program. First Bay Area overflight occurred on May 15, 2025, outside Moffett Federal Airfield, with subsequent sightings in the SF Bay Area during late 2025, including proximity to landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Presidio area.

👤 Physical Description

Large white rigid airship (~400 ft / ~124 m in length) with a modern composite construction (titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber) and a polymer shell. Helium-filled, equipped with 12 electric propulsion motors and a fly-by-wire gondola control system; features multiple helium bags (reported as 13) for lift.

ℹ️ Additional Details

Pathfinder 1 is part of LTA Research's broader effort to modernize lighter-than-air technology for cargo and humanitarian applications. The project includes a training blimp called A-60 observed in the region. The company has publicly documented the May 15, 2025 Bay Area flight and ongoing testing, with additional sightings reported in late 2025 by multiple outlets.

🔗 Sources (6)

👥 Community Contributions

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