Patent ID: 7763834

Claim:
A flying object for observing the ground, comprising: an elongate body; a lift and displacement motor, with combustible propelling charge, producing lateral maneuvering forces whose lines of action pass through the center of gravity of said flying object; an attitude motor, with combustible propelling charge, producing lateral maneuvering forces, said lift and displacement motor and said attitude motor being disposed on either side of said center of gravity of the flying object and the combustion of the respective propelling charges of these latter two motors being adjusted so that, when the latter two motors are operating, the position of said center of gravity remains at least approximately fixed, and a picture taking unit mounted on board said flying object, wherein: said lift and displacement motor is able to ensure the lift and the displacements of said flying object in an observation position for which said object is at least approximately vertical with the rear end of said flying object directed downwards; said attitude motor is structured to maintain said flying object in said at least approximately vertical observation position; and said picture taking unit is disposed at a rear part of said flying object to observe said ground when said flying object is in said at least approximately vertical observation position.