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With reference to the Loon balloons, consider the following statements:
1. The Loon balloons were effectively cell towers the size of a tennis court.
2. They floated 60,000 to 75,000 feet (18,000- 23,000 meters), above the Earth, well above commercial jetliner routes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
With reference to the Loon balloons, consider the following statements...
Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, called this week on the administration of President Joe Biden to greenlight a plan to transmit the Internet to people in Cuba via high-altitude balloons when their government has blocked access.
  • For years, Alphabet — the parent company of Google — worked to perfect an Internet-balloon division service called Loon. It shut down that project in January, saying it wasn’t commercially viable.
  • Prior to the shutdown, Loon balloons had been providing service in mountainous areas in Kenya through a partnership with a local telecom, Telkom Kenya.
  • The service also helped provide wireless communications in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which destroyed the island’s mobile network.
  • Loon partnered with AT&T to make service available.
  • The Loon balloons were effectively cell towers the size of a tennis court.
  • They floated 60,000 to 75,000 feet (18,000- 23,000 meters), above the Earth, well above commercial jetliner routes.
  • Made of the commonplace plastic polyethylene, the balloons used solar panels for electricity and could deliver service to smartphones in partnership with a local telecom.
  • Each balloon could serve thousands of people.
  • But they had to be replaced every five months or so because of the harsh conditions in the stratosphere.
  • And the balloons could be difficult to control.
  • Hence both statements are correct.
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Most Upvoted Answer
With reference to the Loon balloons, consider the following statements...
Statement 1: The Loon balloons were effectively cell towers the size of a tennis court.
Statement 2: They floated 60,000 to 75,000 feet (18,000-23,000 meters) above the Earth, well above commercial jetliner routes.

Explanation:
Statement 1: The Loon balloons were effectively cell towers the size of a tennis court.

The first statement is correct. The Loon balloons were designed to function as floating cell towers, providing internet connectivity to remote and underserved areas. These balloons acted as a relay station, connecting users' mobile devices to ground-based telecommunications infrastructure. They were equipped with various communication technologies and were capable of providing 4G LTE coverage over an area of approximately 5,000 square kilometers.

The size of the Loon balloons was comparable to a tennis court, with a diameter of around 15 meters. They were made of specialized materials that were lightweight yet durable enough to withstand the harsh conditions of the stratosphere.

Statement 2: They floated 60,000 to 75,000 feet (18,000-23,000 meters) above the Earth, well above commercial jetliner routes.

The second statement is also correct. The Loon balloons were designed to operate in the stratosphere, which is the second major layer of Earth's atmosphere. They were positioned at an altitude of 60,000 to 75,000 feet, which is significantly higher than the cruising altitude of commercial jetliners. Commercial flights typically operate at altitudes ranging from 30,000 to 40,000 feet.

By positioning the Loon balloons at such a high altitude, they were able to avoid interference with commercial air traffic. Additionally, operating at this altitude provided a broader coverage area since the signals transmitted from the balloons could reach a larger geographic area due to the curvature of the Earth.

Therefore, both statement 1 and statement 2 are correct. The Loon balloons were effectively cell towers the size of a tennis court, and they floated well above commercial jetliner routes at an altitude of 60,000 to 75,000 feet.
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Community Answer
With reference to the Loon balloons, consider the following statements...
Both 1 and 2
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With reference to the Loon balloons, consider the following statements:1. The Loon balloons were effectively cell towers the size of a tennis court.2. They floated 60,000 to 75,000 feet (18,000- 23,000 meters), above the Earth, well above commercial jetliner routes.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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