Intel has launched a drone specifically designed for light shows. Its purpose, apart from lighting the skies with safer fireworks, is to demonstrate how multiple drones can be controlled in tandem, communicating with each other to avoid crashes and act like stars, bouncing around the universe.

They could be used for more serious applications too, including search and rescue missions and as a tour guide for other flying machines.

“It demonstrates how a large fleet of drones can communicate and complete complex tasks,” said Natalie Cheung, drone light show business director for the UAV Group at Intel. “This technology can be used for entertainment or for putting ads in the sky.”

Each drone weighs just 280g and is made from a flexible plastic frame and foam, to make it resist damage even if it does fall from the sky. They feature built-in LEDs to create more than four billion light combinations with their integrated RGBW LED.

Making the drones even better for performing in-sky acrobatics, Intel’s fleet of Shooting Star drones can resist most adverse weather conditions, including high winds. They fly automatically and can remain on course, even in winds of up to 33ft per second.

“The flight controller is highly precise, very robust in gusty conditions and has proven reliability,” Daniel Gurdan, the engineering lead for Intel Shooting Star drones explained.

Even better – they have been approved for use by the FAA, Intel revealed, thanks to the company’s stringent testing process.

“The FAA approved Intel Shooting Star drones after reviewing the systems’ protocols and safety implementation guidelines,” said Cheung. “We’re showing regulators around the world that UAV technologies used the right ways can help shape new rules for manned and unmanned aerial vehicles,”