Project Loon team prepares for launch in the pre-dawn frost near Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. (Courtesy: Google
The balloons, each about 15 metres in diameter, are unwrapped and prepared for the launch. (Courtesy: Google
The balloons are entirely solar powered. It takes 4 hours for the solar panels to charge the battery during the day, and that power is sufficient to keep all the flight systems working 24 hours a day. (Courtesy: Google
This is the largest trial of the Project Loon concept. It is expected that the system will also be trialled in Australia from sometime next year. (Courtesy: Google
One of 30 balloons takes to the skies above the Canterbury region of New Zealand. (Courtesy: Google
A custom-designed Internet antenna attached to a user's house allows them to receive Internet service from Project Loon. The internet antenna's balloon-inspired design is a playful symbol of the Project Loon network. (Courtesy: Google
A map of the projected path of the New Zealand trial balloons (Courtesy: Google
More spectacular dawn images from the launch of Project Loon trials in New Zealand. (Courtesy: Google
Spectacular pre-dawn image from the launch of Project Loon trials in New Zealand. (Courtesy: Google
Project Loon team prepares for launch in the pre-dawn frost near Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. (Courtesy: Google