[governance] a global mesh network in the sky

Sat Jun 15 07:17:29 EDT 2013

Thanks McTim:

It gets launched in Christchurch, New Zealand tomorrow:

(Source: Andrew Erbs)
Sunday 16th June 2013, 10am-2pm NZST @ Air Force Museum, 45 Harvard Ave,
Wigram, Wigram Park 8140, New Zealand

http://www.google.com/loon/

WHAT IS PROJECT LOON?

Many of us think of the Internet as a global community. But two-thirds of
the world’s population does not yet have Internet access. 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.

THE TECHNOLOGY

Project Loon balloons float in the stratosphere, twice as high as airplanes
and the weather. They are carried around the Earth by winds and they can be
steered by rising or descending to an altitude with winds moving in the
desired direction. People connect to the balloon network using a special
Internet antenna attached to their building. The signal bounces from
balloon to balloon, then to the global Internet back on Earth.

THE PILOT TEST

Project Loon starts in June 2013 with an experimental pilot in New Zealand.
A small group of Project Loon pioneers will test the technology in
Christchurch and Canterbury.

HOW LOON MOVES

NAVIGATING WITH THE WIND

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.

STRATOSPHERE

Situated between 10 km and 60 km altitude on the edge of space, the
stratosphere is named after the different strata, or layers, of wind within
it. But the extreme altitude also presents unique engineering challenges:
air pressure is 1% of that at sea level, temperatures hover around -50°C,
and a thinner atmosphere offers less protection from the UV radiation and
temperature swings caused by the sun’s rays. By carefully designing the
balloon envelope to withstand these conditions, Project Loon is able to
take advantage of the steady stratospheric winds, and remain well above
weather events, wildlife and airplanes.

HOW LOON IS DESIGNED

ENVELOPE

The balloon envelope is the name for the inflatable part of the balloon.
Project Loon’s balloon envelopes are made from sheets of polyethylene
plastic and stand fifteen meters wide by twelve meters tall when fully
inflated. They are specially constructed for use in superpressure balloons,
which are longer-lasting than weather balloons because they can withstand
higher pressure from the air inside when the balloons reach float altitude.
A parachute attached to the top of the envelope allows for a controlled
descent and landing whenever a balloon is ready to be taken out of service.

SOLAR PANELS

Each unit’s electronics are powered by an array of solar panels that sits
between the envelope and the hardware. In full sun, these panels produce
100 Watts of power - enough to keep the unit running while also charging a
battery for use at night. By moving with the wind and charging in the sun,
Project Loon is able to power itself using only renewable energy sources.

EQUIPMENT

A small box containing the balloon’s electronic equipment hangs underneath
the inflated envelope, like the basket that is carried by a hot air
balloon. This box contains circuit boards that control the system, radio
antennas to communicate with other balloons and with Internet antennas on
the ground, and batteries to store solar power so the balloons can operate
during the night.

HOW LOON CONNECTS

Each balloon can provide connectivity to a ground area about 40 km in
diameter at speeds comparable to 3G. For balloon-to-balloon and
balloon-to-ground communications, the balloons use antennas equipped with
specialized radio frequency technology. Project Loon currently uses ISM
bands (specifically 2.4 and 5.8 GHz bands) that are available for anyone to
use.

WHERE LOON IS GOING

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.

On Sat, Jun 15, 2013 at 11:05 PM, McTim <dogwallah at gmail.com> wrote:

> While we have been busy navel gazing about the relative evilness of
> gov vs corporatism, some folks have been busy working on Universal
> Access methods:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcw6j-QWGMo
>
> --
> Cheers,
>
> McTim
> "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A
> route indicates how we get there."  Jon Postel
>
>
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-- 
Salanieta Tamanikaiwaimaro aka Sala
P.O. Box 17862
Suva
Fiji

Twitter: @SalanietaT
Skype:Salanieta.Tamanikaiwaimaro
Tel: +679 3544828
Fiji Cell: +679 998 2851
Blog: salanieta.blogspot.com
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