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HALO Project

The purpose of the HALO (High Altitude Launch Opportunity) project is to set up a high altitude communications network. HALO was so successful that a grant has already been given for the HALO 2 project. In the HALO project, multiple balloon launches were coordinated. Balloons were launched from Indiana as well as seven other states. When one balloon would come over the radio horizon of another balloon they would link and and start communicating. The potential for this technology is astounding. According to David Patterson, "the technology could provide at least text messaging, and perhaps voice communications, to all properly equipped stations in range of the balloons." There is also speculation that such technology could one day help produce a low cost internet solution. 

The HALO 2 Project is now currently under way with coordinated balloon launches scheduled for this spring.