Ground tests of NOVA-01: envelope testing

The AERONOVA team has begun ground tests of NOVA-01: the envelope is undergoing testing.

The first priority was to verify structural strength and leak-tightness; to this end, specialists carried out several inflations of the envelope up to operating pressure. The seams—the craft’s vulnerable areas—were tested separately. At this stage of testing, the envelope was filled with air, which is sufficient under test conditions.

Tests were also carried out on the ballonet; it was important to assess its load tolerance.

The second phase of work will include assembling and verifying the nose reinforcement and mooring assembly, testing the thruster unit and tail assembly, and integrating the gondola with the envelope.

Further testing, including software and control system tests, must be conducted with the airship filled with the working gas—helium. Therefore, over the coming weeks the engineers will perform final measurements and calculations, after which final assembly will be carried out ahead of flight tests.

*The translation is done with the help of artificial intelligence.