Google’s high altitude balloon meant to provide high-speed internet in Kenya crashed near the town of Buta (close to Kisangani) in Bas-Uélé in the Democratic Republic of Congo Sunday.
According to Kabale Musavuli, initial;y, they did not know what kind of object it was.
“Object that crashed is Project Loon Kenya HBAL166 that crashed in Congo over 1600 km from Kenya.,” he said later.
Object identified. Thanks to all who pointed me to right direction. So far no comment from #Congo-lese Govt or #Google. Object that crashed is #ProjectLoon #Kenya #HBAL166 that crashed in Congo over 1600 km from Kenya. #HBAL166 #LN166 #ProjetLoon #Alphabet pic.twitter.com/Olc4g6W4lO
— #CongoIsBleeding (@kambale) August 25, 2020
The images are showing the payload of #HBAL166 a balloon assigned to the Kenyan operation of #ProjectLoon.
It was launched in April 23, 2020 from Ceiba, Puerto Rico and remained in flight for 123 days.
It traveled more than 129.000 kilometers. pic.twitter.com/nPgQ3Wz7Nv
— StratoCat (@stratoballoon) August 24, 2020
In July, Telkom Kenya launched loon, 4G enabling balloons in partnership with Alphabet expanding its internet subscription by 4.8 million users.
Loon is a network of stratospheric balloons designed to bring internet connectivity to rural and remote communities worldwide.
The high-altitude balloons in the stratosphere (altitude: 18km to 25km) create an aerial wireless network with up to 4G-LTE speeds.
