Editing AirStar

'''AirStar''', also styled '''Air Star''', was an American paintball marker manufacturer active from 1998 to 2000. Operated through Pneu Systems Inc., the company developed the [[Nova 700]], [[Super Nova]] and [[Super Nova ET]] paintball markers. Designed by pneumatic engineer [[Mike Wood]], the Nova series used a low-pressure, pneumatically operated system in which the barrel moved to seal the breech rather than using a conventional bolt.[1][2]

== History ==

=== Establishment and Nova 700 ===

AirStar was established by inventor Mike Wood of Irvine, California, through Pneu Systems Inc. Bruce Gillette served as the company's director of sales and marketing.[1][3]

The company's first marker, the '''Nova 700''', was introduced at the [[1998 Zap International Amateur Open]] in Pennsylvania. Gillette demonstrated the marker to tournament attendees.[1][4]

The Nova 700 differed considerably from conventional semi-automatic markers. Its operating mechanism used a pneumatically controlled spool valve and a moving barrel assembly known as the '''Articulated Barrel System''' (ABS).

The barrel moved backwards to surround a paintball in the breech before firing, eliminating the need for a conventional reciprocating bolt. The marker operated at approximately 95 psi and could use either CO2 or compressed air.[1]

The Nova 700 was distributed by [[National Paintball Supply]].[1]

=== Super Nova ===

In 1999, AirStar introduced the '''Super Nova''', a revised marker incorporating several improvements to the original design.

These included a vertical feed port, a 45-style grip frame and a bottom-line mounted regulator.[1][5]

The Super Nova also featured AirStar's '''Dicer''' technology, which used aluminium alloy pellets inside an expansion chamber to improve heat transfer and help stabilise gas pressure during firing.[1]

At the [[1999 Zap Amateur Open]], AirStar demonstrated the Super Nova alongside the forthcoming electronic-trigger version.[5]

=== Super Nova ET ===

The '''Super Nova ET''' (Electronic Trigger) introduced electronic trigger actuation to the existing pneumatic mechanism.

Rather than using a conventional electronic control board, the design employed a 9-volt battery, microswitch and solenoid valve to activate the marker's pneumatic firing system. Its timing remained mechanically and pneumatically controlled.[1]

AirStar demonstrated the Super Nova ET at the 1999 Zap Masters tournament, where Mike Wood and Bruce Gillette presented the company's marker range.[6]

=== Safety recalls and dissolution ===

AirStar experienced safety problems involving the regulators fitted to some Nova markers.

In 1999, approximately 200 Nova 700 markers were recalled following concerns about regulator overpressure protection. Contemporary technical coverage identified serial numbers 991 1500 through 991 1787 as affected, along with some earlier markers that had received replacement regulators.[1]

A further recall followed in 2000. According to AirStar's subsequent company announcement, incorrectly machined regulator components supplied to the manufacturer created a risk of uncontrolled pressure.[3][7]

AirStar's closure announcement stated that, on 31 August 2000, the board of directors of Pneu Systems Inc., trading as AirStar, voted to dissolve the company.

The announcement attributed the decision to the financial effects of the recall and substantial investment in new product development.[7]

== Products ==

AirStar's documented marker range included:

* '''Nova 700''' – Original pneumatic semi-automatic marker introduced in 1998, featuring an angled feed port and internally mounted regulator.
* '''Super Nova''' – Revised marker with vertical feed, 45-style grip frame and bottom-line regulator.
* '''Nova 700 ET''' – Electronic-trigger variation of the original Nova design.
* '''Super Nova ET''' – Electronic-trigger version of the Super Nova.

The company also produced replacement barrels and accessories for its marker range.[1][6]

== Later developments ==

Following AirStar's dissolution, related pneumatic marker designs appeared through other manufacturers, including [[PaintGuns International]] and [[Section8 Paintball]].[3]

The Nova name and moving-barrel design subsequently returned to the paintball market through modern manufacturer [[Nova Paintball]], which has marketed the N1 Supernova, N3 Hellion and N4 Odin markers.

The modern product range continues elements of the original Nova design, but should not be confused with the original AirStar corporate entity, which ceased operating in 2000.[8]

== See also ==

* [[Nova 700]]
* [[Super Nova]]
* [[Super Nova ET]]
* [[National Paintball Supply]]

== References ==

# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/paintguns/nova/novafaq.shtml WARPIG – Air Star Nova FAQ, by Bill Mills, 1999.]
# [https://web.archive.org/web/20000603140843/http://www.nova700.com/about.htm AirStar – About AirStar, archived company website, 3 June 2000.]
# [https://www.zdspb.com/tech/nova/index.html ZDSPB – AirStar Nova History and Technical Archive.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/pigtv/classics.shtml WARPIG PigTV – 1998 Zap International Amateur Open, video archive featuring the Nova 700 introduction.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/zapam99/index.shtml WARPIG – 1999 Zap Amateur Open, contemporary Super Nova and Super Nova ET coverage.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/masters99/index.shtml WARPIG – 1999 Zap Masters, tournament and trade-show coverage.]
# [https://web.archive.org/web/20010331193054/http://nova700.com/ AirStar – Company dissolution announcement, archived 31 March 2001.]
# [https://novapb.com/ Nova Paintball – Modern Nova marker range and manufacturer website.]

== External links ==

* [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/paintguns/nova/novafaq.shtml WARPIG – AirStar Nova technical FAQ]
* [https://www.zdspb.com/tech/nova/index.html ZDSPB – AirStar Nova technical archive]

[[Category:Paintball equipment manufacturers]]
[[Category:Paintball marker manufacturers]]
[[Category:Defunct paintball brands]]
[[Category:American paintball companies]]