Suspected Chinese spy balloon found over U.S.
02-02-2023, 02:53 PM
#1
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Suspected Chinese spy balloon found over U.S.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-found-northern-us-rcna68879
Is there something that instruments hanging off of a balloon can sense that can't be handled by a satellite?
Or, is it just delivering supplies to ND? 🤣
https://news.yahoo.com/chinese-corn-mill-north-dakota-224406327.html
Is there something that instruments hanging off of a balloon can sense that can't be handled by a satellite?
Or, is it just delivering supplies to ND? 🤣
https://news.yahoo.com/chinese-corn-mill-north-dakota-224406327.html
02-03-2023, 07:29 AM
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Is it being steered, or is it just a balloon that is carried randomly along by the winds? Why do they refer to it as Force majeure? What about it is that vs. intentional or neglect in managing the ballon?
02-03-2023, 05:22 PM
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A balloon would be far cheaper than a satellite. And for a given level of optical technology it might produce higher res images simply by being closer to the target with less atmosphere in the way, although could be offset by turbulence induced motion of the platform, however slight. Also it has a much longer loiter time, so it could observe operations (vice image snapshots) over a more extended period without gaps or multiple passes.
But it's also an airspace violation, which a satellite is not. The exact upper boundary of "national airspace" is undefined but it's reasonably somewhere below space and above 100,000 feet.
At least it was (barely) above controlled airspace.
But it's also an airspace violation, which a satellite is not. The exact upper boundary of "national airspace" is undefined but it's reasonably somewhere below space and above 100,000 feet.
At least it was (barely) above controlled airspace.
02-03-2023, 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by TransWorld
Is it being steered, or is it just a balloon that is carried randomly along by the winds? Why do they refer to it as Force majeure? What about it is that vs. intentional or neglect in managing the ballon?
02-03-2023, 10:29 PM
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Originally Posted by rickair7777
A balloon would be far cheaper than a satellite. And for a given level of optical technology it might produce higher res images simply by being closer to the target with less atmosphere in the way, although could be offset by turbulence induced motion of the platform, however slight. Also it has a much longer loiter time, so it could observe operations (vice image snapshots) over a more extended period without gaps or multiple passes.
But it's also an airspace violation, which a satellite is not. The exact upper boundary of "national airspace" is undefined but it's reasonably somewhere below space and above 100,000 feet.
At least it was (barely) above controlled airspace.
But it's also an airspace violation, which a satellite is not. The exact upper boundary of "national airspace" is undefined but it's reasonably somewhere below space and above 100,000 feet.
At least it was (barely) above controlled airspace.
I guess that wouldn't be diplomatic enough these days.
02-04-2023, 01:28 AM
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"We no lie to you. Dis just weather gathering bawoon. So Sowwy." (Ha, ha. When we take Taiwan in couple years if US say BOOO we alweady be in da back yard b4 dey see us)
As soon as this leaves the US coast a Chinese merchant ship will pick it up after a command deflation.
As soon as this leaves the US coast a Chinese merchant ship will pick it up after a command deflation.
02-04-2023, 02:15 AM
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Originally Posted by drywhitetoast
As soon as this leaves the US coast a Chinese merchant ship will pick it up after a command deflation.
02-04-2023, 07:24 AM
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Originally Posted by SonicFlyer
How do we know this isn't the US government simply launching this thing themselves in order to have an excuse to stir people up against China?
https://youtu.be/Q3a5xsAfass
02-04-2023, 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Aviato
My understanding (at least from the former Google project) is that some steering is available via winds at different altitudes. Certainly, barring a technical glitch, they'd have the option to put it down long before it entered North American airspace. As usual, public statements don't seem to add up. Force majeure is definitely a stretch. Especially when it is (likely) intentional.
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