Google unveils its Project Loon Wi-Fi balloons - in pictures

Google is releasing 30 hi-tech balloons in a trial of technology designed to bring the internet to places where people are not yet connected. The balloons are being launched from New Zealand's South Island this month in the first trial of the pioneering plan dubbed Project Loon

  • Visitors stand next to a high-altitude Wi-Fi internet hub, a Google Project Loon balloon, on display at the Airforce Museum in Christchurch
    Google project loon: Google Project Loon balloon on display at Airforce Museum in Christchurch

  • Google's Tammo Spalink holds the communications unit (R) with the altitude controller (C) and Avionics bay (L) during a public display of Google's new high-altitude Wi-Fi internet hub at the Airforce Museum in Christchurch
    Google project loon: the internal workings of google balloon

  • Google's Anton Staff (c) stands in front of the balloon's solar panel as he speaks about Project Loon
    Google project loon: Google's Anton Staff

  • The solar panels that will power the balloons are seen before take-off in Tekapo, New Zealand
    Google project loon: The solar panels which will power the high altitude ballons

  • A Project Loon high-altitude balloon is inflated before its launch in Tekapo, New Zealand
    Google project loon: A google balloon

  • A test balloon floats over New Zealand
    Google project loon: A test balloon floats over New Zealand

  • Tania Gilchrist, who is participating in Google's testing programme, stands next to the red Google internet receiver attached to her home in Christchurch, New Zealand
    Google project loon: a new zealand resident with her red Google internet receiver
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