Airborne payload control system

1. An airborne payload control system comprising:

an unmanned aircraft;

a payload line comprising a first end and a second end, the second end of the payload line configured to couple to a payload;

a sensor configured to sense information about the payload line;

a winch system operable to spool the payload line, the winch system comprising a main reel, a first and a second pinch roller, and a first and a second motor, wherein:

the first end of the payload line is wound around the main reel;

the payload line is threaded between the first pinch roller and the second pinch roller;

the first motor is configured to turn the main reel; and

the second motor is configured to turn the first and the second pinch rollers; and

one or more controllers operable to:

receive, from the sensor, the information about the payload line; and

based on the received information, provide instructions to the unmanned aircraft and the winch system in order to control a position of the second end of the payload line.

2. The airborne payload control system of claim 1 , wherein the information about the payload line comprises one or more of:

a position of the payload line;

a velocity of the payload line; and

an altitude of the second end of the payload line.

3. The airborne payload control system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more controllers are operable to provide instructions to the unmanned aircraft about one or more of:

a flight path of the unmanned aircraft;

a speed of the unmanned aircraft;

an orbit of the unmanned aircraft; and

an altitude of the unmanned aircraft.

4. The airborne payload control system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more controllers are operable to provide instructions to the winch system about one or more of:

a length of the payload line;

a tension on the payload line; and

a speed of the payload line.

5. The airborne payload control system of claim 1 , wherein the winch system is further operable to maintain tension between the main reel and the first and the second pinch rollers.

6. The airborne payload control system of claim 5 , wherein the tension is maintained on the payload line by controlling the operation of the first and the second motors.

7. The airborne payload control system of claim 1 , wherein the payload is one or more of a static object and a moving object.

8. The airborne payload control system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more controllers comprises a first controller operable to provide instructions to the unmanned aircraft and a second controller operable to provide instructions to the winch system.

9. The airborne payload control system of claim 1 , wherein the aircraft is a fixed wing aerial vehicle.

10. One or more controllers of an airborne payload system, the one or more controllers operable to:

receive, from a sensor on a payload line, information about the payload line, wherein the payload line comprises a first end wound about a main reel of a winch system and a second end configured to couple to a payload, the winch system operable to spool the payload line; and

based on the received information, provide instructions to an unmanned aircraft and the winch system in order to control a position of the second end of the payload line; and

wherein:

the winch system further comprises a first and a second pinch roller and a first and a second motor;

the payload line is threaded between the first pinch roller and the second pinch roller;

the first motor is configured to turn the main reel; and

the second motor is configured to turn the first and the second pinch rollers.

11. The one or more controllers of claim 10 , wherein the information about the payload line comprises one or more of:

a position of the payload line;

a velocity of the payload line; and

an altitude of the second end of the payload line.

12. The one or more controllers of claim 10 , wherein the one or more controllers are operable to provide instructions to the unmanned aircraft about one or more of:

a flight path of the unmanned aircraft;

a speed of the unmanned aircraft;

an orbit of the unmanned aircraft; and

an altitude of the unmanned aircraft.

13. The one or more controllers of claim 10 , wherein the one or more controllers are operable to provide instructions to the winch system about one or more of:

a length of the payload line;

a tension on the payload line; and

a speed of the payload line.

14. The one or more controllers of claim 10 , wherein the payload is one or more of a static object and a moving object.

15. A method for an airborne payload system, the method comprising:

receiving, from a sensor on a payload line, information about the payload line, wherein the payload line comprises a first end wound about a main reel of a winch system and a second end configured to couple to a payload, the winch system operable to spool the payload line; and

based on the received information, providing instructions to an unmanned aircraft and the winch system in order to control a position of the second end of the payload line; and

wherein:

the winch system further comprises a first and a second pinch roller and a first and a second motor;

the payload line is threaded between the first pinch roller and the second pinch roller;

the first motor is configured to turn the main reel; and

the second motor is configured to turn the first and the second pinch rollers.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the information about the payload line comprises one or more of:

a position of the payload line;

a velocity of the payload line; and

an altitude of the second end of the payload line.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the instructions provided to the unmanned aircraft comprise one or more of:

a flight path of the unmanned aircraft;

a speed of the unmanned aircraft;

an orbit of the unmanned aircraft; and

an altitude of the unmanned aircraft.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the instructions provided to the winch system comprise one or more of:

a length of the payload line;

a tension on the payload line; and

a speed of the payload line.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the payload is one or more of a static object and a moving object.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the unmanned aircraft is a fixed wing aerial vehicle.