r/interestingasfuck • u/Red_Lotus_Alchemist • 2d ago

/r/all A Chinese earthquake rescue team deployed drones to light up the night and aid search and rescue operations after the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar.

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u/BrentButler 2d ago

That’s a straightforward and clever use of a new technology. I’m curious what the usable flight time would be.

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u/certifiedintelligent 2d ago

They’re tethered, so they can fly and light as long as the generator on the ground runs.

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u/IntelligentMoney2 2d ago edited 2d ago

Why this and not a balloon? Less power consumption. What would be the limitations on a balloon? A drone is more stable to wind, what else?

Edit: I’m actually curious, not trying to start a war over this. What are the benefits of a drone over a balloon?

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u/CitizenCue 2d ago

Size + wind.

A balloon big enough to hoist lights that big, plus the weight of the cable, would be fairly substantial. And it would of course move with the wind. Which could be annoying at best and dangerous at worst.