Project Loon is using high-altitude balloons traveling in the stratosphere to provide internet access to rural and remote areas. In June 2013, they launched an experimental pilot program in New Zealand using 30 balloons to test the technology and refine their system. The balloons float in the stratosphere and are steered by rising and descending to altitudes with winds blowing in the desired direction, bouncing signals between balloons and then to the global internet on Earth to connect people below.

1. Balloon-powered
internet for everyone!

3. Project Loon is a network of
balloons traveling on the edge of
space, designed to connect
people in rural and remote areas.

5.  Project Loon starts in June 2013 with an
experimental pilot in New Zealand.
 30 balloons, launched from New
Zealand’s South Island.
 The experience of these pilot testers
will be used to refine the technology
and shape the next phase of Project
Loon.

6.  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.

7.  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.

8.  Winds in the stratosphere are
generally steady and slow-moving at
between 5 and 20 mph, and each layer
of wind varies in direction.
 Project Loon uses software algorithms
to determine where its balloons need to
go, then moves each one into a layer of
wind blowing in the right direction.

10. ENVELOPE
SOLAR PANELS
EQUIPMENT

11. Envelope
Solar Panels
Equipment

12.  Project Loon’s balloon envelopes are
made from sheets of polyethylene
plastic and stand fifteen meters wide by
twelve meters tall when fully inflated.
 A parachute attached to the top of the
envelope allows for a controlled descent
and landing whenever a balloon is ready
to be taken out of service.

13.  In full sun, these panels produce
100 Watts of power - enough to keep
the unit running while also
charging a battery for use at night.
 By moving with the wind and
charging in the sun, Project Loon is
able to power itself using only
renewable energy sources.

14.  A small box containing the balloon’s
electronic equipment .
 This box contains circuit boards that control
the system.
 Radio antennas to communicate with other
balloons and with Internet antennas on the
ground .
 And batteries to store solar power so the
balloons can operate during the night .

15.  Each balloon can provide
connectivity to a ground area about
40 km in diameter at speeds
comparable to 3G.
 Each balloon is equipped with a GPS
for tracking its location

17. Easy to use
Speed
Increasing internet
usage

18. Cost.
Maintenance
Balloon can work for a few
week only.

19. -RAJESH VUPPALA