Project Loon, Stratospheric balloon

In summary: Project Loon is a network of stratospheric balloons designed to bring Internet connectivity to rural and remote communities worldwide.
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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?
 
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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".
 

1. What is Project Loon?

Project Loon is a research and development project by Google that aims to provide internet access to rural and remote areas using a network of high-altitude stratospheric balloons.

2. How do the stratospheric balloons work?

The stratospheric balloons are equipped with solar panels and navigation equipment. They are released into the stratosphere, where they can float for extended periods of time due to the low wind speeds. The balloons communicate with each other and with ground stations to provide internet access to users on the ground.

3. What is the purpose of Project Loon?

The main purpose of Project Loon is to provide internet access to underserved and remote areas. This can help bridge the digital divide and provide opportunities for education, communication, and economic growth.

4. What are the potential benefits of Project Loon?

Project Loon has the potential to bring internet access to millions of people who currently do not have access. It can also provide emergency connectivity in disaster-stricken areas and support communication in remote regions for scientific research and other purposes.

5. What are the challenges facing Project Loon?

Some of the challenges facing Project Loon include the technical complexity of operating a network of stratospheric balloons, potential interference with existing telecommunication systems, and the cost of implementing and maintaining the project. There are also concerns about the environmental impact of the balloons and their eventual disposal.

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