Project Loon is a network of balloons that float in the stratosphere and provide internet access to rural and remote areas. The balloons can rise or descend to different wind layers to navigate to where coverage is needed. They connect to people's phones using LTE technology and pass the signal across the balloon network and back to the global internet. By moving with the steady winds of the stratosphere, the balloons can form a large communications network to deliver internet access to unconnected areas.

2. WHAT IS PROJECT LOON?
• Many of us think of the Internet as a global
community. But two-thirds of the world’s
population does not yet have Internet access.
• Project Loon is a network of balloons traveling
on the edge of space, designed to connect
people in rural and remote areas, help fill
coverage gaps, and bring people back online
after disasters.

3. THE TECHNOLOGY
• Project Loon balloons float in the stratosphere,
twice as high as airplanes and the weather.
• In the stratosphere, there are many layers of
wind, and each layer of wind varies in direction
and speed. Loon balloons go where they’re
needed by rising or descending into a layer of
wind blowing in the desired direction of travel.

4. • By partnering with Telecommunications companies
to share cellular spectrum we’ve enabled people to
connect to the balloon network directly from their
phones and other LTE-enabled devices. The signal
is then passed across the balloon network and
back down to the global Internet on Earth.

5. HOW LOON FLIES?
• Project Loon balloons travel approximately 20
km above the Earth’s surface in the
stratosphere. Winds in the stratosphere are
stratified, and each layer of wind varies in speed
and 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. By moving with the wind, the
balloons can be arranged to form one large
communications network.

6. Project Loon is able to take advantage of the
stratosphere’s steady winds and remain well above
weather events, wildlife and airplanes.

7. In stratosphere

8. HOW LOON IS DESIGNED?

9. • The inflatable part of the balloon is called a
balloon envelope. A well-made balloon envelope
is critical for allowing a balloon to last around
100 days in the stratosphere.
• Loon’s balloon envelopes are made from sheets
of polyethylene plastic, and they measure 15
meters wide by 12 meters tall when fully inflated.
• When a balloon is ready to be taken out of
service, gas is released from the envelope to
bring the balloon down to Earth in a controlled
descent.

10. • Each balloon’s electronics are powered by an array
of solar panels. The solar array is a flexible plastic
laminate supported by a light-weight aluminum
frame.
• The solar array is mounted at a steep angle to
effectively capture sunlight. The panels produce
approximately 100 Watts of power in full sun, which
is enough to keep Loon’s electronics running while
also charging a battery for use at night.

12. HOW LOON CONNECTS?
• Each balloon can provide connectivity to a
ground area about 40 km in diameter using a
wireless communications technology called LTE.
• To use LTE, Project Loon partners with
telecommunications companies to share cellular
spectrum so that people will be able to access
the Internet everywhere directly from their
phones and other LTE-enabled devices.

14. THANKING
YOU