One of his balloons Project Loon of Google managed to travel more than 500.000 kilometers and make a full turn around the Earth within 22 days.
Project Loon was announced about a year ago and aims to develop wireless Internet access networks in isolated areas using balloons to carry the relevant equipment.
The balloons of the proletterto create a grid at a height of twenty kilometers above the Earth's surface, with each one able to "communicate" both with its neighbors and with terrestrial control stations, which in turn will be connected to the Internet. The transmission of the signal will be done through antennas that will be installed in buildings.
The balloon called Ibis-167 that took place around the world in 22 days is a new design that includes a series of corrections, compared to the original models.
More specifically, while the first balloons had a solar panel panels on top, the newer ones have two solar panels placed opposite each other and diagonally, so that they are more efficient when flying over the poles.
Despite the installation of double solar panels, the weight of the new balloons has decreased as a more efficient generator has been installed, meaning that the double panels can now be of smaller volume.
Ibis-167 flew at speeds from 2 to 75 knots, carrying except from the solar panels, a transponder and radar beam reflector so that it can be detected by other aircraft.
Also, via the built-in remote control, the balloon could at any time land for maintenance or repairs.
Οι αρχικές δοκιμές του Project Loon έφεραν σημαντικές αλλαγές στο πρόγραμμα, πέρα από την αλλαγή των πάνελ ηλιακής energy.
For example, early flights gave valuable data on wind behavior to create new weather forecasting models.
Also, improved balloon models can change flight height up to three times faster, have better navigation and are more resistant to extreme weather conditions.
Source: naftemporiki.gr
