Although we jokingly say we’re looking forward to unplugging while we’re on vacation, maybe even for the weekend, chances are not many of us really want to totally disconnect and abandon the Internet. But for more than half of the world’s population, being unplugged isn’t a choice, it is a reality. A number of projects are currently underway to provide global Internet access via technologies such as satellites, drones, and balloons. The latter is apparently drifting closer to its milestones.
Google announced earlier this month that Google Project Loon—a plan to provide wireless connectivity via a network of high-altitude balloons floating in the stratosphere using only the wind for steering—is making progress. The project’s longest duration balloon, which recently landed in one of the Argentinian recovery zones, was airborne for just over six months—187 days—or roughly the time it takes to listen to Elton John’s “Rocket Man” approximately 61,000 times.
What was accomplished? According to the Google website, “the balloon circumnavigated the globe nine times, enduring temperatures as low as -75c (-103 F) and wind speeds as high as 291 km/h, soaring to a maximum height of 21km and drifting over more than a dozen countries across four continents.” In addition, Google engineers conducted further testing by making a series of altitude and directional changes on its last circumnavigation, which proved successful.
In a behind-the-scenes look at Project Loon, The Verge reports that “After successful tests with several telcos, Loon is now in the process of working toward commercial deals with several network operators around the globe.”
When Google officially introduced Project Loon back in June 2013, it was called many things—from amazing and audacious to a crazy gimmick that was doomed to fail/fall. Even Google admitted the idea sounded crazy, which was part of the reason it was called “Loon.” Will it work? Or ultimately fail to take off like Google Glass? Either way, Project Loon is another intriguing concept from Google X.
