# Border-Monitoring Drones The Stratobus Earth Drone Looks to Ensure Security Down Below By Itai Buenahora | Published 2014-03-21 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earth-drones References: [wired](http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2014/03/dirgibles/) & [thalesgroup](https://www.thalesgroup.com) The StratoBus is an earth-watching dirigible drone that will watch our planet from 13 miles high. This [drone-satellite hybrid](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sabresat) out of France was crafted to be the size of a football field and made up of carbon fiber. The high-flying drone floats to the lower stratosphere at an altitude of 13 miles, which developers feel is a perfect position to enable a range of functions that include [surveillance, border security monitoring](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sonobuoy-dispensing-system), facilitating navigation and communications reinforcement. All of these functions will be performed from a stationary position with the help of just two self-adjusting electric motors. The ingenious drone is constructed with state-of-the-art [solar power systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laser-recharging-system) with panels that rotate, maximizing sun access and coupled with a power amplification system to handle potential surges in any given atmospheric area. The StratoBus is built to endure year-long missions with a lifespan of five years and is a remarkable advancement in space navigation. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 19% | Activity: 47% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Earth-watching Drones:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop lightweight, long-lasting drones equipped with high-resolution cameras for continuous monitoring of the Earth's surface. - **Stratosphere Drones:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create drones capable of floating in the lower stratosphere for extended periods of time to perform various functions like surveillance and communication reinforcement. - **Solar-powered Drones:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design drones with state-of-the-art solar power systems to maximize flight time and reduce reliance on traditional energy sources. ### Where This Applies - **Aerospace and Defense:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced drone technologies for border security monitoring, navigation, and communication reinforcement. - **Renewable Energy:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate solar power systems into drones to reduce carbon footprint and enable longer, more sustainable flights. - **Surveillance and Security:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create innovative surveillance drones for monitoring and protecting borders, providing real-time information to security agencies. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Heavy-Duty Hybrid Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hybrid-drones.md) - [Eco-Friendly Stratospheric Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sceye-haps.md) - [Airport-Assisting Drone Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airport-drone-system.md) - [Autonomous Cargo Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cargo-drones.md) - [Multi-Mission Military Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vtol-drones.md) - [Hazardous Weather-Ready Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tf-g1.md) - [Range-Roving Cargo Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rangeroving-cargo-drone.md) - [Extreme-Heat Firefighting Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/firedrone-by-empa.md) - [Carbon-Caged Mapping Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mapping-drone.md)