Access to the internet is taken for granted in most developed countries, however the ground reality is that there are over five billion human beings on Earth who have no access to the internet. Google X Lab has decided to tackle this issue with its science project using translucent balloons as transmitters.

The concept involves hooking up 30 huge helium filled balloons to strong transmitters that can provide 3G speed internet connectivity over an area of 780 square miles. The balloons will be launched into the stratosphere and will receive their signals from stations on the ground situated 60 miles apart.

Users would need to install a basket ball sized receiver in their homes to access the internet via the low flying balloon as it crossed over head. Project Loon, as it is being referred to by the California based company, hopes to have enough balloons in the air to ensure uninterrupted internet connectivity.

This way as each balloon reaches the end of its connectivity limit to a particular place on the ground, another balloon is ready to float into position to take over transmitting the signals. Allowing even remotely located areas to have connections to the world wide web. This is one science project that will have a huge impact.