A miracle … of technology. On Saturday night, more than 3,000 drones illuminated the Vatican’s sky, recreating the best-known works of Miguel Ángel and even the affable face of Pope Francis . The real surprise, however, was the brilliant mastermind behind this dazzling spectacle: Kimbal Musk , Elon Musk’s brother, who conceived the idea during a festival in the Nevada desert.
A little context. The Vatican organized the Grace for the World event as a culmination to the world encounter on human fraternity. This star-studded event featured performances from renowned artists such as Pharrell Williams , John Legend , and Andrea Bocelli , who even performed a duet with Karol G . This grand gathering not only celebrated music but also aimed to foster a sense of global community.
<img alt="NASA needed help with a mission. So he went to divine wisdom: the Church of Rome" width="375" height="142" src="https://i.blogs.es/c02754/portada/375_142.jpeg"/>The highlight of the night, aside from the unexpected duet, was the synchronized flight of 3,000 drones over the Basilica of San Pedro , captivating an audience of 80,000 spectators . As music filled the air, the drones brilliantly recreated stunning visuals, including “ The Creation of Adam ,” painted by Miguel Ángel in the Sistine Chapel, and the legendary “ Pietà ,” which the artist carved in marble over 500 years ago.
Nova Sky Stories. The innovative company responsible for this impressive display, Nova Sky Stories , has Kimbal Musk at its helm as CEO and founder. One cannot help but wonder how the brother of the tech mogul aiming to take humanity to Mars ended up organizing a light show for the Holy See . This intriguing tale is, undoubtedly, the best part of the story.
<span>Kimbal Musk with a Nova Sky Stories drone</span>Kimbal founded Nova Sky Stories in 2022 after acquiring Intel Drone Light Shows , Intel’s division specializing in drone performances. The inception of this idea occurred a year prior during the “ Free Burn ” festival—an event that replaced Burning Man during the pandemic. During this festival, an artist named Ralph Nauta used drones to recreate the iconic effigy typically burned at Burning Man , a sight that profoundly impacted Kimbal’s perspective. In his own words, it “ changed his life .”
A year and a half of negotiations. Kimbal Musk was convinced of the potential of drones as more than just simple substitutes for fireworks ; he saw them as a new medium to create large-scale art. In early 2024, he approached the Vatican, and although Pope Francis had passed away by then, his successor, Pope Leo XIV , granted approval for the event to continue.
A fleet of 9,000 drones. Similar to his sibling, Kimbal Musk’s Nova Sky Stories boasts a completely vertical ecosystem. They design and manufacture their drones and develop all software and firmware in-house. This integrated system allows for exceptional agility and problem-solving capabilities, setting them apart in the industry.
Although only 3,000 drones soared in the Vatican, the company possesses a total of 9,000 drones . Each drone weighs 340 grams and can illuminate with a 24-bit color depth . To navigate, the drones utilize Real-Time Kinematics satellite positioning technology, which provides centimeter-level accuracy by correcting real-time GPS data.
For a lengthy event such as at the Vatican, the drones were programmed to return to their charging stations autonomously and swap places with others in the air—all without the audience noticing. If any drone strayed off course, it first attempted to correct its path. If unsuccessful, it would return to the base or, as a last resort, deactivate its engine and descend safely.
Substitutes for fireworks? The Vatican event underscores a growing trend: drones are increasingly serving as replacements for or supplements to traditional fireworks at major events worldwide, from large-scale displays in China to more modest exhibitions like the Malaga Fair or Mercè festivities in Barcelona . Drones promise safety, silence, and reusability.
However, for Kimbal Musk, the focus extends beyond mere substitution. He emphasizes, “ I do not idolize technology. I idolize the result. ” His mission is to establish drones as a legitimate artistic medium, capable of conveying narratives and ultimately generating emotional responses. “ If we can make the grandmother cry… ” he states, highlighting his vision to evoke genuine feelings through art.
Images | Elisabetta Piqué, x
In a rapidly evolving landscape, the Church appears to have discovered a modern path to bridge tradition with contemporary innovation, and it seems that art is taking flight.