Skip to content

Why spy balloons are still useful in era of drones and satellites

In an age of drones, satellites and hi-tech spy planes, why would any world power still be using balloons for surveillance?

An expert explains the reasons a technology first used during the French Revolutionary Wars remains so in demand today.

17 February 2023

Explore More

A huge Christmas tree on a flatbed lorry in font of the US Capitol building

US Capitol Christmas tree arrives in DC

Man clinging to a cliff being rescued

Moment person clinging to cliff is rescued by helicopter

Crowds of people walking streets at night

Thousands rush to US border before Trump takes office

Composite image of Donald Trump and Elon Musk alongside the Starship taking off

Trump joins Musk to watch Starship test launch

Firefighters helping people stuck on ride.

Riders stuck midair for hours on California park ride

Biden stands in front of the podium.

Biden first US president to visit Amazon rainforest

Pete, Trump and Pam are next to each other.

A look at Trump's new top team... in 85 seconds

Meteor lights up the night sky.

Meteor lights up night sky over parts of US and Canada

Kennedy is speaking a crowd while Trump looks at him.

Trump names vaccine sceptic RFK Jr for health secretary

Smoke is seen from the top of a building.

Watch: Thick smoke billows from New York skyscraper

Police officer smashing sunroof of vehicle submerged in pool

Police bodycam shows man being rescued from submerged car

Sumi Somaskanda stands on the left and Trump stands on the right.

What a Republican trifecta means for Trump's second term

Flame and smoke billow over train tracks

Watch: Moment large fire explodes on New York train line

Biden is on the left and Trump is on the right.

What we can expect from Trump and Biden's meeting

split screen of building damage and a man

Watch: Drone footage captures Kentucky explosion damage

Truck crashing into parked vehicle narrowly missing worker

Watch: Moment road worker dodges high-speed truck crash

Woman taking picture of a helicopter and wildfire smoke filling the sky

Smoke towers over homes as wildfire spreads near Los Angeles

Vladimir Putin speaking holding a pen

Putin congratulates 'courageous' Trump on election win

Joe Biden wearing a suit holding up a fist

Watch: Biden urges Democrats to 'get back up' after Trump win

A California firefighter battles deep red flames with a hose

Watch: Fast-moving California wildfire burns out of control

Ryan Borgwardt

US kayaker who faked own death thought to have fled to Europe

US police appeal for a missing man to come back home for Christmas with his family.

Why is Kamala Harris still asking for campaign donations?

A week after losing the election, Kamala Harris's team are still appealing for funds.

A huge cloud of dust sweeps over fields and trees.

Giant wall of dust sweeps across central California

The huge dust storm - also known as a haboob - limited visibility and left many residents in the dark.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden in Oval Office

‘Welcome back’ - Watch moment Biden congratulates Trump

The president and president-elect shook hands as part of a long-standing tradition signifying the transfer of power.

Firefighter crew drives down street with burning trees

Crews battle deadly Jennings Creek wildfire

A teenage park ranger was killed while battling the blaze over the weekend.

A large burst of fire is seen breaking out over a street with several cars

Moment vehicle explodes on quiet New York street

Officials are still investigating the cause of the blast, which damaged homes and vehicles.

A split screen of a man with a black vest with a neutral facial expression and a girl talking

US voters on one reason Trump won... and why Harris lost

After Donald Trump's decisive victory, we asked Americans what they think made the difference for each campaign.

Split screen of Samira Hussain and two Kamala Harris voters holding a pink campaign flag

Harris highlights need for 'peaceful transfer of power'

The BBC's Samira Hussain was on the ground for Harris's concession speech at Howard University.

Kamala Harris holds her hands out as she looks at camera while speaking at a lecturn on 6 November

Harris: Election outcome 'not what we fought for'

The vice-president addressed supporters at Howard University in Washington DC, following her election defeat to Donald Trump.

Donald Trump surrounded by friends and staff on stage after giving his victory speech

Surrounded by family, Trump says he will 'heal the country'

Donald Trump took the stage at his campaign watch party in West Palm Beach, Florida, and was met with loud cheers.

Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs in the Commons.

Watch: PM and Badenoch react to Trump's victory at PMQs

Sir Keir Stamer and Kemi Badenoch react to Donald Trump's US Election victory at PMQs.

People attend the Nevada Republican Party watch party at the Ahern Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 05 November 2024.

Watch: How election night unfolded

Catch up on the key moments from election night.

JD Vance heralds 'greatest political comeback in US history'

The Republican nominee for vice president JD Vance addresses a rally of Donald Trump supporters.

Chris Mason standing outside Downing Street

Trump win is the more complicated outcome for UK government

The BBC's political editor Chris Mason explains that Westminster have been preparing for a second Trump presidency.

Nada Tawfik in front of a podium

BBC correspondent describes 'unbridled joy' at Trump event

Nada Tawfik says the former president received a hero's welcome in Florida.

Eric Trump, executive vice president of Trump Organization Inc., from left, Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, former US President Donald Trump, and former US First Lady Melania Trump during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, US, on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.

Donald Trump: America has given us a powerful mandate

Trump addresses jubilant supporters as he claims victory in the presidential election.

Samira Hussein standing on an empty riser

BBC correspondent reports from near-empty Harris event

The mood at Kamala Harris's watch party in Washington DC quickly became subdued, reports Samira Hussain.

BBC presenter standing in front of a screen with a picture of Donald Trump on it

Moment Trump projected to win North Carolina

North Carolina is the first of the seven battleground states to have a projected winner in this election.

A composite of Sarah Smith (left) and Gary O'Donoghue (right) speaking to the camera, both wearing suits

Anxiety v excitement at Harris and Trump HQs

The BBC's Sarah Smith and Gary O'Donoghue reflect on the contrasting moods at the Harris event in Washington, DC, and the Trump event in Florida.

Christian Fraser standing and to his right, a touchscreen with a US map showing possible election results

Christian Fraser looks at how things stand

Will we find out the result soon? Which state will be the deciding vote? Here's a look at the possible scenarios for this US election.