How does it work
Project loon
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What is project loon?
Many of us think of the Internet as a global community. But two-thirds of the world’s population doesn't have Internet. Project Loon a balloon with network, 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.
The technology
the balloons float in the stratosphere, twice as high as airplanes. In the stratosphere, there are many layers of wind, and each layer of wind varies in direction and speed. Loon balloons go where they’re needed by rising or descending into a layer of wind blowing in the desired direction of travel. The signal is then passed across the balloon network and back down to the global Internet on Earth.
How loon flies
Project Loon balloons travel approximately 20 km above the Earth’s surface in the stratosphere. Winds in the stratosphere have layers. each layer of wind varies in speed and direction. By moving with the wind, the balloons can be arranged to form one large communications network.
How loon is designed (envelop)
The inflatable part of the balloon is called a balloon envelope. A balloon's envelope is important for allowing a balloon to last 100 days in the air. The balloon's envelopes are made from plastic, and they measure fifteen meters wide by twelve meters tall when inflated. When a balloon is ready to be not used, gas is released from the envelope to bring the balloon down to Earth intact. If the balloon is dropped too quickly, there will be a parachute.
Solar panels
Each balloon’ is powered by many solar panels. The solar panel is a flexible plastic weight frame. The solar panel is at an angle to capture sunlight on winter days . the panels give enough to keep balloon'running while also charging a battery. By moving with the wind and charging in the sun, Project Loon is able to power itself using renewable energy sources.
Electronics
A box containing the balloon’s electronics hangs underneath the envelope. This box contains circuit boards that control the system, radio antennas to communicate with other balloons and with Internet antennas on the ground.
Where is it going?
Project Loon began with a test in June 2013, when thirty balloons were launched from New Zealand gave Internet to a group of testers. The pilot test has since grew to include an increasing amount of people over a wider area.