Alphabet’s Loon sets a new record for longest stratospheric flight
“We’ve been able to figure out how to dependably and at scale cut, joint together in a pumpkin shape, wrap up, stuff in a giant box, and ship balloons throughout the nation to our launch websites,” Candido wrote. And when they do fly, Google keeps track of “hundreds of telemetry information streams related to flight system performance,” changing ballast and other criteria to take full advantage of flight time. All of that work means the Loon balloons can remain aloft longer, reducing flight costs per hour.