Google's Sergey Brin reportedly developing a secret airship project
The Google co-founders just love to work on secret futuristic transportation projects.
This time, it's Sergey Brin -- but instead of glorified water speedersflying cars, like the Larry Page-funded Kitty Hawk Flyer unveiled earlier this week, he'll reportedly opt for something a bit more extravagant for his airborne transportation: a massive airship.
Brin has been secretly building a giant dirigible in Hangar 2 at the NASA Ames Research Center, according to Bloomberg, which cited information from four sources close to the project. When reached by the publication, Brin had no comment on the report.
SEE ALSO:Let's face it: Flying cars are never going to be a thingGoogle-backed Planetary Ventures gained control over the hangars at Ames as part of the 2015 lease of the property from NASA, but Brin reportedly caught the airship bug around three years ago after checking out photos of the Hangar 2's previous tenant, the US Navy's USS Macon airship.
The sources said Brin's airship looks like a zeppelin, a lighter-than-air form of aviation that largely fell out of favor after the rise of commercial airplanes and the infamous Hindenburg disaster of 1937. The new project's metal frame has been built by engineers and takes up most of the space inside the hangar.
Hangar 2, where Brin is reportedly developing his secret airship.Credit: screenshot/google mapsBloomberg's sources also claim the project is being spearheaded by Alan Weston, who was formerly the director of programs at NASA Ames. Weston previously discussed his plans for cargo-bearing airships in an Australian radio interview in 2013, when he described the potential for new aircrafts that could potentially lift up to 500 tons with much greater fuel efficiency than current freight options like trucks.
Bloombergsaid Weston also declined to confirm his involvement with the project.
If Brin is actually building an airship in Hangar 2, it's not part of any current Alphabet-backed project, according to the report.
Even so, tech companies are increasingly looking to take to the skies -- along with Page's investments in Kitty Hawk and Zee.Aero, Uber recently announced new partnerships and plans to kick-off its flying car initiative, Elevate, in Dallas and Dubai with the goal to create a functional prototype by 2020.
Featured Video For You
Freak out over this video of the coolest flying car yet
-
优化广东优质农产品产销资源对接!“农友圈”又有新动作For Uber, 'Hell' is apparently tracking Lyft driversInstagram has automatic captions now, and they look slickBayern face 'character test' at Mainz中山古镇:到苏炳添家乡看“村BA”,来一场说走就走的美食之旅PlayStation Vue gets its very own 24/7 esports channelConstantly stressed at work? It might actually be changing your personality.Rayo stun La Liga leaders BarcelonaHow much will PCB's Champions Cup mentors be paid?'No difference in class between Bayern and City'
下一篇:21 Lost and Lonely Cemeteries
- ·Arshad Nadeem receives Hilal
- ·LIV's DeChambeau says golf rankings 'almost obsolete'
- ·Tim Cook's devious grin at the Apple event is now a meme
- ·我市举行系列活动表达感恩之情
- ·Prime exclusive deal: $50 off Govee floor lamp
- ·北纬网“地震3周年数字展馆”获赞誉
- ·坚持科学补碘 预防碘缺乏病
- ·LAFC beat Galaxy in MLS derby thriller
- ·古物:回望时间的印记
- ·Mark Zuckerberg has a goat named Bitcoin. Well, OK then.
- ·Uber's chief of communications is the latest to leave the company
- ·'Girlboss': Yet another show about an entitled millennial, blerg
- ·New Grok response directs users to Vote.gov for election questions
- ·Judge trying Samsung heir tied to Choi Soon
- ·Roma drops out of Serie A top four
- ·听取和征求纳税人意见建议
- ·Upgrade Your Monitor, Not Your GPU
- ·Scammers make more than half of login attempts on social media, says study
- ·No. of visa
- ·North Korean soldiers briefly cross border for 2nd time in less than 2 weeks
- ·Pakistan Cricket at crossroads after shock defeat at Pindi
- ·Instagram has automatic captions now, and they look slick
- ·Tillerson's visit to S. Korea 'important, timely' for joint approach to NK: Seoul
- ·Man City aim to derail Arsenal’s title challenge
- ·Which is Faster for Gaming, Windows 10 or Windows 11?
- ·Capitol rioter arrested after his Bumble match turned him in