Project Loon, Stratospheric balloon

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SUMMARY

Project Loon is a network of stratospheric balloons aimed at providing Internet connectivity to rural and remote areas globally. Currently, balloons are being tracked over various locations, including the Indian Ocean, Ecuador, Peru, Puerto Rico, Kenya, and the Seychelles. The project, which utilizes existing mobile phone technology, faces competition from SpaceX's Starlink and traditional fixed mobile phone towers. As of January 2021, Loon is winding down operations, indicating challenges in sustaining the project.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of stratospheric balloon technology
  • Familiarity with satellite internet systems, specifically SpaceX's Starlink
  • Knowledge of mobile telecommunications infrastructure
  • Awareness of global internet connectivity challenges
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the technical specifications of stratospheric balloons used in Project Loon
  • Explore the operational mechanics of SpaceX's Starlink satellite constellation
  • Investigate the economic models for providing internet in remote areas
  • Study the environmental impacts of high-altitude balloon operations
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for telecommunications engineers, internet service providers, and policymakers focused on expanding internet access in underserved regions.

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TL;DR
Project Loon is a network of stratospheric balloons designed to bring Internet connectivity to rural and remote communities worldwide.
Project Loon is a network of stratospheric balloons designed to bring Internet connectivity to rural and remote communities worldwide. https://loon.com/
There is one being tracked, between Reunion and Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/HBAL125
Another one over Equador, 6 over Peru, 1 over Puerto Rico, 3 over Kenya and 1 near the Seychelles.
 
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That's very interesting. It could be compared directly with SpaceX's Starlink project. In the past, there have been proposals to use tethered balloons to provide service for a city-wide area, but I don't remember seeing any of them get implemented.

Do you know how much money they will charge for how much bandwidth?
 
anorlunda said:
Do you know how much money they will charge for how much bandwidth?
No idea. It is a Google experiment and now separate project, and will need to be competitive with Starlink and fixed mobile phone towers to survive. It appears to use existing mobile phone technology, so does not have the extra Starlink technology and antenna tracking problem.

I was just surprised to see something being tracked at 60,000 feet and 5 mph. It is probably optimised for the tropics. I cannot see it being controlled and used in the roaring forties where the jet streams flow, unless it operates like the submersible gliders, which is a mode more applicable to drones than balloons.
 
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These flights seem to originate from Northern Peru. Once they leave that area they head down over Brazil, then out over the Atlantic Ocean. They then cross Africa.

HBAL125 was tracked past Mauritius in the Indian Ocean on 22 May. Then it crossed the Indian Ocean to turn up over Carnarvon in Western Australia on the 24 May. It toured the Australian NW coast during 26 to 29 May, visiting the Dampier Peninsula, before rapidly crossing Australia on the 30 May, and heading across Brisbane at about 80 mph. HBAL125 is now north of New Zealand in the upper jet stream, heading east. How it will get back to Northern Peru is an interesting question, as it seems a bit far south, caught in a strong winter jet stream, maybe heading for Argentina.

Meanwhile on the 31 May, a tight group of 4 balloons, (HBAL027,042,066,072), at about 62k feet has reached the South of WA. They departed Brazil on 25 May, via Cape Town in South Africa on the 27 May.
I wonder how long will it take to get them back where they can pay their way over the jungles of Northern Peru?
 
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It seems that the SpaceX Starlink satellite internet constellation is more fitted to survive than the high altitude balloons. I see none being tracked today.

https://loon.com/ "As of January 2021, Loon is winding down as a company. Thanks to everyone who supported us along the way".