A hot air balloon launched by Project Loon to one day bring the internet to remote villages in the Amazon has landed in the rainforest.

The large balloon fell from the skies to the jungle floor following recent flight tests, to the surprise of the local community.

The huge inflatable descended from 11 miles high, above a remote town in Brazil.

Scroll down for video

A hot air balloon launched by Project Loon to one day bring the internet to remote villages in the Amazon has landed in the rainforest. The large balloon fell from the skies to the jungle floor following recent flight tests, to the surprise of the local community

X, an innovation lab under Google's parent company Alphabet and the group behind Project Loon, has apologised for 'surprising' locals in the Autazes area, in the north-central Brazilian state of Amazon.

A spokesman for the company confirmed that the balloon belonged to Project Loon, and carried out a controlled landing in the area.

It says the landing was 'controlled' but has sent specialists to remove the balloon so that 'our engineers could learn more about its flight.'

The spokesperson added: 'We thank the hospitality of citizens and apologise for the surprise.'

According to the firm, local air traffic control helped to manage its descent.

The international project is conducting tests toward the ultimate goal to 'beam Internet access to rural, remote, and underserved parts of the world.'

The balloons have a 15-metre diameter and are made of a thin biodegradable plastic.

X, an innovation lab under Google's parent company Alphabet and the group behind Project Loon, has apologised for 'surprising' locals in the Autazes area, in the north-central Brazilian state of Amazon

A spokesman for the company confirmed that the balloon belonged to Project Loon, and said they have sent specialists to remove the balloon so that 'our engineers could learn more about its flight'

They also have a solar panel to give them energy and radio, antennas and a computer to check their altitude.

The spokesman added: 'Our main goal with Loon project is to give access to Internet in rural areas, remotes, all around the world.

'After research and several routine test flights, we cooperated with the air traffic control authorities to manage the security and also to reduce the speed of the balloon over the rural area of Manaos, near the community of Pauru.'

In 2014, two cities in the state of Piaui, northeastern Brazil, were chosen as the site of Project Loon balloons.

The balloons have a 15-metre diameter and are made of a thin biodegradable plastic. They also have a solar panel to give them energy and radio, antennas and a computer to check their altitude

HOW DO THE BALLOONS WORK? Project Loon is a network of balloons travelling on the edge of space, designed to connect people to the internet in remote parts of the world. The balloons travel approximately 12 miles (20km) above the Earth's surface in the stratosphere. Winds in the stratosphere are stratified, and each layer of wind varies in speed and direction, so Project Loon uses software algorithms to determine where its balloons need to go. Winds in the stratosphere are stratified, and each layer of wind varies in speed and direction, so Project Loon uses algorithms to determine where its balloons need to go. It then moves each one into a layer of wind blowing in the right direction (illustrated) It then moves each one into a layer of wind blowing in the right direction. By moving with the wind, the balloons can be arranged to form one large communications network. The inflatable part of the balloon is called a balloon envelope made from sheets of polyethylene plastic that are 49ft (15 metres) wide and 40ft (12 metres) tall when inflated. The balloons harness power from card table-sized solar panels that dangle below them, and they can gather enough charge in four hours to power them for a day. Each balloon can provide connectivity to a ground area of around 25 miles (40km) in diameter using LTE, also referred to as 4G, technology. Project Loon is partnering with telecommunications companies and mobile networks to share cellular spectrum. Ground stations with internet capabilities around 60 miles (100km) apart bounce signals up to the balloons. The signals can then hop forward, from one balloon to the next, along a backbone of up to five balloons. Advertisement

Just weeks ago, Alphabet revealed the 'Loon' project had taken a big step closer to reality.

While they haven't yet said when the balloon are expected to be deployed, they revealed artificial intelligence-infused navigation software has significantly sped up plans.

Astro Teller, head of the team at Alphabet unit X said: 'We are looking to move quickly, but to move thoughtfully,' AFP reports.

Teller said: 'Our timelines are starting to move up on how we can do more for the world sooner.'

A spokesperson said: 'After research and several routine test flights, we cooperated with the air traffic control authorities to manage the security and also to reduce the speed of the balloon over the rural area of Manaos, near the community of Pauru'

'We've been working to make the balloons smarter; almost like a game of chess with the winds,