UPSC Prelims 2016 Q35: Science & Technology – Computer & Information Technology
'Project Loon', sometimes seen in the news, is related to
- (a) waste management technology
- (b) wireless communication technology
- (c) solar power production technology
- (d) water conservation technology
Answer: (b) wireless communication technology
Explanation
Project Loon
Project Loon was a Google (Alphabet) project to give internet access to remote areas.
It used high-altitude balloons floating in the stratosphere, about 18 to 20 km up.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Technology | Wireless communication (4G/LTE signals relayed by balloons) |
| First test | New Zealand, 2013 |
| Power | Solar panels on each balloon |
| Steering | Moving up or down to catch winds blowing the right way |
| End | Shut down in January 2021 |
The options checked:
| Option | Verdict |
|---|---|
| (a) Waste management technology | Incorrect |
| (b) Wireless communication technology | Correct |
| (c) Solar power production technology | Incorrect; solar only powered the balloons |
| (d) Water conservation technology | Incorrect |
Answer: (b) wireless communication technology.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Project Loon has nothing to do with waste management technology.
- (b) CORRECT. Project Loon used balloons to provide wireless communication and internet access.
- (c) Incorrect. Solar panels powered the balloons, but it was not a solar power production project.
- (d) Incorrect. It is unrelated to water conservation technology.
Key point
Project Loon (Google): stratospheric balloons relaying wireless internet to remote areas; tested in New Zealand in 2013; closed in 2021.
Remember
Project Loon = internet by stratospheric balloons.
Common mistakes
- Choosing solar power because the balloons carried solar panels.
- Confusing Loon with Starlink, which uses satellites, not balloons.
- Placing the balloons in the troposphere; they flew in the stratosphere.
Exam tip
Loon = balloon = internet from the sky.
Sources
- X, the moonshot factory (Alphabet) — Loon project
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology — Lok Sabha reply on Project Loon pilot (2016)