Drones
Lead Paragraph
Contents
History
Features
Autonomy
Applications
Commercial
Environmental
Drones are useful in monitoring and mitigating environmental disasters because they can access areas too dangerous for human pilots. In October 2016, NASA utilized a large drone to track Hurricane Matthew.[1] This was a safer, cheaper option for collecting weather data than commissioning single pilot planes as NASA has done in the past.[1] Drones are also being tested for aerial firefighting. These drones are designed to drop balls that ignite into flames and burn grass to prevent wildfires from spreading.[2]
In sensitive ecological areas, drones can be useful for conservation efforts. In 2014, a team of college students created a biodegradable drone that can monitor and collect data from these areas without causing destruction.[3] People are already considering the potential military applications of a drone that could quickly decompose if it crashed in enemy territory.[3]
Military
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Vanian, Jonathan. "NASA Is Flying A Huge Drone Over Hurricane Matthew." Fortune. Time Inc., 08 Oct. 2016. Web. 18 Feb. 2017.
- ↑ Brocious, Ariana. "Drones That Launch Flaming Balls Are Being Tested To Help Fight Wildfires." Morning Edition. NPR. Michigan, 3 Aug. 2016. Radio. Transcript.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Li, Shirley. "A Drone for the Environment." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 17 Nov. 2014. Web. 18 Feb. 2017.