Google revealed top-secret plans yesterday to send balloons to the edge of space with the lofty aim of bringing Internet access to the two-thirds of the global population currently without it.

Scientists from the tech giant released up to 30 helium-filled test balloons flying 12.4 miles above Christchurch, New Zealand, yesterday, carrying antennae linked to ground base stations. Project Loon hopes to launch thousands of balloons to provide the Internet to remote parts of the world.