Loon balloon sets record for longest flight in the stratosphere

Alphabet, a subsidiary of Google, said that one of the project's high-altitude balloons spent 312 days in the air.

The device broke its own previous record forflight duration in the stratosphere is 223 days. During this time, the balloon made a long journey; it was launched in Puerto Rico in the direction of Peru, where it provided three months of constant Internet. He then circumnavigated the globe, passing through the South Atlantic, Indian and South Pacific oceans before landing in Mexico. This took 10 months, the device covered 217 thousand kilometers in 10 months.

Engineers noted that they were able to achieve thisresult thanks to the combination of design and materials. The team noted that they flew millions of simulated flights before proceeding to actual testing.

“We were able to figure out how to securely securepumpkin-shaped materials, to create a sturdy body of the device and send balloons around the world to their launch sites, ”the company notes. The engineers also learned how to inflate balloons in about 45 minutes and still protect them from the wind, ensuring they are not damaged.

Google plans to increase the autonomy of itsballoon operating at an altitude of about 18 km. In the future, if the Loon project hits commercial use, balloons will provide 4G Internet access to remote areas around the world.

Engineers are confident that Loon balloons canstay in the air longer, reducing flight costs per hour. It should also provide more consistent connectivity, especially if the balloons are to be deployed to provide internet services in remote areas around the world.

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