The technologies described herein are generally directed to utilizing unmanned controller equipment to launch and recover unmanned imaging equipment in a fifth generation (5G) network or other next generation networks. For example, a method described herein can include receiving an indication that unmanned aerial equipment is to be captured. The method can further include, based on the indication, capturing the unmanned aerial equipment launched over a data collection area, resulting in captured unmanned aerial equipment. Further, the method can include, interfacing with the captured unmanned aerial equipment to download information associated with the data collection area collected by the unmanned aerial equipment during airborne transit over the data collection area.