Question 99 from UPSC CSE 2016 - Current
Affairs

Question

âProject Loonâ, sometimes seen in the news, is related to

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. wireless communication technology

Strategy: Recall common news about major tech projects. 'Project Loon' is known for its innovative internet delivery, directly linking it to wireless communication. Other options are in different domains, making them easy to distinguish.

Key Info: **Project Loon**
- Project Loon was a research and development project by Google X (later an independent company under Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company).
- Its primary mission was to provide internet access to rural and remote areas globally.
- The project utilized high-altitude balloons, designed to float in the stratosphere (at an altitude of about 18 km or 11 miles), to create an aerial wireless network.
- These balloons acted as floating cell towers, transmitting internet connectivity (up to 4G-LTE speeds) to ground-based users via partner telecommunications companies' cellular spectrum.
- The project aimed to deliver affordable internet access, especially in regions where traditional infrastructure (fiber optic cables or cell towers) was difficult or uneconomical to deploy, or during disaster relief efforts.
- Despite successful trials and limited deployments, Project Loon was officially shut down in January 2021, citing commercial viability challenges.

**Wireless Communication Technology**
- Wireless communication technology refers to the transmission of information over a distance without the need for electrical conductors or cables.
- It involves various technologies like radio, satellite, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks (2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G).
- These technologies are fundamental for mobile phones, internet connectivity, broadcasting, and numerous other applications, enabling communication across vast distances and in various environments.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: waste management technology

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: solar power production technology

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: water conservation technology

âProject Loonâ, sometimes seen in the news, is related to

âProject Loonâ, sometimes seen in the news, is related to