World Surveillance Group Inc (fka WSGI)

[rwehapi2003]

Even Google has their share of problems.

http://www.dvice.com/2014-6-4/uh-oh-google-internet-balloon-crashes-power-lines

Both Google and Facebook are intent on putting things into the sky to deliver Internet to the world, particularly where none yet exists. Both companies are investing in solar-powered drones for their projects, but Google is also trying out balloons and satellites. But just how feasible and safe are these aerial Internet-delivering devices?

Last week, one of Google’s Project Loon balloons crashed into power lines in Washington state, resulting in a small power outage in that region. The balloon in question began its test flight in Nevada, before making its way north. In Washington state, the landing went wrong, although a reason has not yet been determined. The balloon hit a power pole in a remote area, taking out electricity for a small number of residents for about five hours. Utility employees reported finding what they thought was a weather balloon “with blinking lights” caught up in power lines.

According to Google, the Project Loon balloons are capable of staying in the Earth’s stratosphere for about 100 days, but test flights are, obviously, much shorter. In this particular instance, Google did inform the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of their plans, so no other aircraft were in the area at the time, but one can imagine a circumstance where a balloon or drone might interfere with the flight path of a commercial aircraft and cause a much more dangerous, and deadly, situation.

The FAA is already looking to set up guidelines for privately-owned drones, so it’s probably a good bet that we’ll see the agency looking at similar rules for commercial ventures, as well. In the meantime, Google might have better luck with its Internet-delivering satellites, which will, hopefully, be out of the way of things like power lines and other aircraft.