Will Google Loon get off the ground?

I found last week’s mention of Google Loon to be very intriguing. The idea of bringing cheap, readily available internet to remote areas of the world without needing expensive physical infrastructure sounds great. Plus, it uses balloons! The concept is both accessible and non-threatening – so much so that Google used a kid's voice and simple animation in their official launch video for the project:

However, there are two big points that I can see getting in the way of Google’s grand plan to bring high-speed internet to the world. First, Google’s videos and press releases don’t mention how they plan to persuade countries around the world to let swarms of high-tech balloons into their airspace. An article from the Atlantic sums this issue up nicely: “What would Vladimir Putin think if he looked up to see an aircraft run by a U.S. tech giant -- one that occasionally shares data with the NSA, no less -- dangling overhead?”

Even in the U.S., the altitudes at which Loon would operate – at or above 60,000 feet – aren’t regulated.  In other words, laws don’t currently exist for how these areas can be used. On top of that, U.S. laws concerning the commercial operation of unmanned aircraft systems even at lower altitudes are just now being implemented (as noted in the “Release the Drones” post). Given that these balloons could easily drift across different countries’ borders and face a variety of different laws and restrictions, Loon will have a significant number of political hurdles to jump in order to realize its goals.

The second major issue with this project is the current global shortage of helium. Google is planning to launch hundreds, if not thousands, of 50-foot wide helium-filled balloons at a time when helium supplies are running out. Given that the U.S. Federal Helium Reserve – the source of 30% of the global helium supply – is already projected to be depleted by 2018, Loon could have a significant impact on the availability of helium for non-balloon-related needs, e.g. MRI scanners, semiconductors, and a variety of scientific research needs (since helium has the lowest melting point of any element).

So what do you think -- will Google find a way to get around these issues, or will Loon just be the latest of Google's "missteps," alongside Google Buzz and Google Wave?