Telecommunications system utilizing drones

1. A system, comprising:

a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a data signal along a transmission path;

a receiver configured to receive the data signal, wherein the receiver is positioned at a different location along the transmission path than the transmitter;

at least two drones arranged in series and positioned along the transmission path between the transmitter and the receiver;

wherein one of the drones is configured to receive the data signal from the transmitter and transmit the data signal to another of the drones;

wherein one of the drones is configured to receive the data signal from another of the drones and transmit the data signal to the receiver;

wherein the transmission path is a geodesic line;

wherein the drones are configured to generally follow the geodesic line when flying;

wherein the drones are configured to stay within a zone surrounding the geodesic line;

wherein the drones include a steerable antenna; and

wherein the steerable antenna is configured to monitor the spacing of one of the drones with respect to the other drones.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the drones are winged.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the drones are launched from a location upwind of the receiver.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the drones are launched from a location within range of the transmitter.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the drones land at a location within range of the receiver.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the steerable antenna is configured to monitor the position of other drones.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the data signal is transmitted using microwaves.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the drones includes a solar panel.

9. A method, comprising:

launching a series of drones so that the drones travel along a transmission path between a transmitter and a receiver;

transmitting a data signal from the transmitter to a drone in the series of drones within range of the transmitter;

retransmitting the data signal from the drone that received the data signal from the transmitter to another drone in the series of drones;

transmitting the data signal to the receiver from a drone in the series of drones within range of the receiver;

wherein the transmission path is a geodesic line;

flying the series of drones to generally follow the geodesic line;

maintaining the series of drones within a zone surrounding the geodesic line;

monitoring the position of the drones within the series of drones with a steerable antenna positioned on at least one of the drones; and

monitoring the spacing of the drones within the series of drones with a steerable antenna positioned on at least one of the drones.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

launching the drones in a series of drones from a location within range of the transmitter.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

launching the drones in a series of drones from a location upwind of the receiver.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

landing a drone from the series of drones after the drone transmits a data signal to the receiver.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the drones land at a location within range of the receiver.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

returning a drone that has landed to the location from which the drones in a series of drones are launched.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein data signal is transmitted using microwaves.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the drones are launched from a location upwind of the receiver;

the drones are launched from a location within range of the transmitter;

the drones land at a location within range of the receiver;

the transmitter and the receiver are located at a distance greater than a radio horizon of the transmitter; and

the data signal concerns a transaction for a financial instrument.