The looming Project Loon

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If there’s a company that you can trust comes up with something big, then it has to be Google. The Internet giant is launching an audacious project to bring mobile Internet connectivity to the billions via balloons. Titled Project Loon, this innovative idea, which is still under testing, might very well go on to become one of Google’s biggest ideas ever.

Contrary to the old adage, the project is new wine in an old bottle. While the usage of balloons is old technology, they have never been used in the way that Google intends to. And the potential impact it will have, should Google succeed, is immeasurable. Here’s a quick guide to what exactly is Project Loon is all about:

The Project
Google plans to release balloons that will float along the winds in the stratosphere, approximately 20km above the surface. Each balloon is equipped with transceivers to communicate with nearby balloons and with a regional ground station and the specialised antenna Google developed to receive the signal.

The Balloons
The balloons are made of polyethylene plastic, approximately 15 metres in diameter and the entire apparatus is about 12 metres tall. Each balloon is powered via solar panels. They will carry weather instruments too.

The Actual Process
Each balloon is networked to one another with a radio transceiver for signal reliability. A second transceiver keeps the balloon in contact with a network station on the ground and beams an Internet signal to specialised antennas that can be placed on homes. Back-up transceiver and GPS on each balloon help Google monitor a balloon’s location.

Controlling The Balloons
That is the biggest question on everyone’s minds. Google claims to have ‘figured out’ how to control the balloons by moving them up or down into the desired band of wind in the stratosphere, though it didn’t specify how, exactly. The balloons are, of course, prone to crashing. But Google says each balloon includes a parachute to ensure a more controlled landing in designated collection points, with a minimum air life of 100 days.

Real World Testing
Google ran its first public test recently in New Zealand. It sent 30 balloons into the sky and offered 60 volunteers about 15 minutes of balloon-based Internet access.

Expected Arrival
While the company hasn’t specified any particular release date so far, if all goes well, then the days of making such a landmark project a reality won’t be far away!