Meantime, the airship, a 12-pasenger Zeppelin NT07, is beingconstructed in Germany by Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH and isexpected to be ready in May. Hall tells GlobeSt.com that itscontract to acquire the semi-rigid carbon fiber airship iscontingent upon Airship Ventures obtaining all the necessaryapprovals from the FAA to operate the vessel in the US. The goal isto have it here and ready for tours by October.

"The FAA is in the process of doing type certification for theZeppelin," Hall says. "It's been going on for several years and isreaching its conclusion. The ship won't come here until that'sfinished." As for NASA approving its plans to locate permanently onat the research park, Hall says "all indications are that bringingan airship back to the former airship base is an appropriate reuseof the historic structures."

The Navy Zeppelin, USS Macon, first arrived at Moffett Field inOctober 1933. The last blimp to operate at the field was deflatedin August 1947. Airship Ventures is hoping to be up and runningthis year in deference to the 75th anniversary of the arrival ofthe USS Macon at Moffett Field. Hall expects a formal decision fromNASA by June.