Editing First Persistent Venus Aerostat (section)

=== Construction and Assembly ===
Fabrication of the FPVA gondola and envelope components took place in lunar orbit between 2100 and 2101 CE, under a joint contract administered by the Luna Transit Authority. Component manufacturing drew on suppliers from across the inner system; structural alloy castings were sourced from the Vesta Foundry Platform, while the polymer laminate sheets were produced in a dedicated facility constructed for the program in cislunar orbit.

Assembly proceeded in two phases. The gondola and its internal systems were integrated first, then pressure-tested against simulated Venusian atmospheric chemistry. The envelope was attached and inflated for the first time in Venus orbit in early 2101 CE. Assembly crews — led by [[Captain Renzo Delgado]] of the Consortium's orbital operations branch — worked in reflective pressure suits along the upper envelope surface to mount the photovoltaic array panels. The descent and commissioning sequence was completed over 14 days in March 2102 CE, when the FPVA achieved its nominal float altitude of 54 kilometres for the first time.