/technologies/internet-of-things/b/blog/posts/balloons-could-provide-easier-internet-access-for-people-living-in-rural-areasA test trial of Project Loon near Google’s HQ (via Google inc )Google’s recent letter to the FCC is raising hopes that the internet may no longer be limited to terrestrial distribution. Google has been testing a balloon- based internet system that couen-USTelligent Community 12https://community.element14.com/technologies/internet-of-things/b/blog/posts/balloons-could-provide-easier-internet-access-for-people-living-in-rural-areasThu, 12 Feb 2015 01:33:43 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:5a52fd29-a931-4e00-a0f2-7de14715832bmcb10<blockquote class="jive-quote"><span>A test trial of Project Loon near Google’s HQ</span></blockquote><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span>Actually that photo is at the launch at Tekapo, New Zealand.</span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span>&nbsp; </span><span><a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2013/06/14/google-internet-balloons/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank" title="http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2013/06/14/google-internet-balloons/">Release the Google Internet Balloons! | Stuck in Customs</a></span></p><p><span>&nbsp; </span><span><a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2013/06/24/more-about-project-loon/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank" title="http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2013/06/24/more-about-project-loon/">More About Project Loon | Stuck in Customs</a></span></p><p><span>&nbsp; </span><span><a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://www.wired.com/2013/06/google_internet_balloons/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank" title="http://www.wired.com/2013/06/google_internet_balloons/">Exclusive: How Google Will Use Balloons to Deliver Internet to the Hinterlands</a></span></p><p><span>&nbsp; </span><a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://www.google.co.nz/loon/where/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank" title="http://www.google.co.nz/loon/where/">New Zealand pilot test – Project Loon – Google</a></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span>They chose NZ because they were able to get the correct winds and co-operation from Air Traffic Control.</span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span>They did one launch from Oxford, but they didn&#39;t climb high enough.</span></p><p><span><a href="https://science10sectionm.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/loon6.png?w=640&amp;h=306"><img alt="loon6" class="jive-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-598" height="306" src="https://science10sectionm.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/loon6.png?w=640&amp;h=306" width="640" /></a></span></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><span>It&#39;s quite amazing that they release them at intervals up upto 6 hours apart and they can &#39;herd&#39; them to a single point before releasing them east as a group.</span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span>We&#39;ve seen them come back over NZ as they circle the earth.</span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span>The balloons aren&#39;t a weather balloon but a specially designed device where they can adjust the envelope size to make them climb or rise in altitude.</span></p><p><span>They fly above 65,000 feet which is 15-20,000 above commercial aviation, so there is not much chance of the public spotting them.</span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span>IMO they are aiming at Africa/South America or other less densely populated places for the coverage.<br /></span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span>Mark<br /></span></p><img src="https://community.element14.com/aggbug?PostID=19900&AppID=27&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">