Google's Project Loon
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.
Project
Loon balloons travel around 20 km above the Earth’s surface in the
stratosphere. Winds in the stratosphere are generally steady and
slow-moving at between 5 and 20 mph, and each layer of wind varies in
direction and magnitude. 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.
The
Project Loon pilot test begins June 2013 on the 40th parallel south.
Thirty balloons, launched from New Zealand’s South Island, will
beam Internet to a small group of pilot testers. The experience of
these pilot testers will be used to refine the technology and shape
the next phase of Project Loon.
Image via xkcd