9781422272886

CHAPTER 1

SCIENCE IN DRONES

Science and drones go hand-in-hand. In science, the most fundamental goal is to explore and examine the world and universe around us. Scientists hope to gain a deeper understanding of how everything works, and how Earth and its entire species are affected by various stimuli. The more they understand, the more they are able to protect us from harm, strengthen our interdependent communities, and help us to advance and thrive. There are many areas of Earth and the universe that are completely unexplored. Drones offer scientists new capabilities to explore previously unmapped territory. They help to access new information and to make new discoveries. Drones have proven to be enormously beneficial to science in countless ways. WHAT IS A DRONE? The Wright brothers’ first flight at the start of the 20th century marked a new phase in human history. Since then, the number of aircraft in the sky has grown. More than 4,000 airplanes are in the air

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