From Digital Camera World · · 1m 20s
2,977 drones rebuilt the Twin Towers
For the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a drone fleet rebuilt the World Trade Center in light, one drone for every life lost.
In brief
For the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a drone fleet rebuilt the World Trade Center in light, one drone for every life lost. The count was the point: 2,977 drones, one for each person killed on 9/11, flown to the exact height of the North Tower. Originally reported by Digital Camera World.
A fleet over Lower Manhattan
On September 9, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks, 2,977 drones lifted off over Lower Manhattan and rebuilt the Twin Towers in light.
One drone per life
The fleet size was not arbitrary. Each drone stood for one person killed at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on United Airlines Flight 93.
Built at full scale
This was a 1:1 replica. The formation climbed to 1,368 feet to match the North Tower and its taller telecommunications antenna.
The hardest airspace in America
Flying that high over Manhattan took a special airspace authorization, a temporary flight restriction, and months of work with federal, state, city, and bi-state agencies.
“The airspace is one of the most complex in America”
Families drew the picture
Sky Elements reviewed the creative directly with families of 9/11 victims and treated their version as the final one.
“This was their vision. Our work was to fly it exactly as they pictured it.”
A helix, then the towers
The drones rose in a spiral before locking into the tower shapes, visible across the city alongside the Tribute in Light. CEO Rick Boss called it a moment of remembrance for the families.
“Everything in the sky over New York is for them.”
At a glance
The count was the point: 2,977 drones, one for each person killed on 9/11, flown to the exact height of the North Tower.
