MIT team was first to discover the location of 10 balloons scattered across space . and made use of Web - based techniques to achieve time - critical tasks . Challenge was announced on anniversary of first message sent on mission 's precursor . DARPA : Winning team discovered balloons ' locations less than nine hours after launch .
MIT team was first to discover the locations of 10 balloons scattered across U.S . Contest tested use of Web-based techniques to achieve time-critical tasks . Challenge was announced on anniversary of first message sent on Internet 's precursor . DARPA : Winning team discovered balloons ' locations less than nine hours after launch .