Loon – Balloon-powered Internet

Google is developing plans to use a network of huge balloons to provide internet to the two-thirds of the world currently without web access.

Project Loon balloons float in the stratosphere, twice as high as airplanes and the weather. They are carried around the Earth by winds and they can be steered by rising or descending to an altitude with winds moving in the desired direction. People connect to the balloon network using a special Internet antenna attached to their building. The signal bounces from balloon to balloon, then to the global Internet back on Earth. [Source: Google]

According to ABC News Australia, the experiment, codenamed Project Loon, was trialled on Saturday at Christchurch, on New Zealand’s South Island. Scientists floated 30 helium-filled balloons around 20 kilometres into the stratosphere, carrying antennae linked to ground base stations.

Wi-fi signals were beamed from another part of New Zealand to the 15-metre-diameter balloons, and then to the homes of about 50 trial participants. Google says the participants were then able to successfully link to the internet. [Source: ABC]

Very innovative stuff. Let’s hope we can find similar solutions to access to potable water, medicines and education.

Links:

• Project Loon