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One of the most technically challenging things about reconnaissance satellites is dealing with the high speed at which the satellite moves over the target. A ba
by ttul 4y ago
One of the most technically challenging things about reconnaissance satellites is dealing with the high speed at which the satellite moves over the target. A balloon flies much lower and vastly more slowly. It can loiter over an area, sucking in electronic signals and taking photographs with extremely high fidelity.
I don’t think the Chinese meant for this balloon to cross the United States. I believe they were testing it for use over other countries or perhaps for use during wartime. Their apology was way too quick for this to have been anything other than a genuine accident.
- remarkEon 4y agoDid they actually apologize? I thought all they said is that it was a weather balloon. Regardless, I'm very interested in what hardware was actually on this thing. Hopefully the public gets a summary of what USN pulls up during recovery.
- ttul 4y ago“… the uncharacteristic speed and contrition of China’s statement as indications that it was probably a genuine error…” https://www.economist.com/china/2023/02/03/how-a-balloon-burst-sino-american-talks https://www.economist.com/china/2023/02/03/how-a-balloon-bur...
- khuey 4y agoThey put out a statement a few hours ago whining that it was shot down so I wouldn't take that "apology" for much.
- Choco31415 4y agoCan you share a link to the statement?
- T-A 4y agohttps://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/202302/t20230205_11019871.html https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/202302/t2023020...
- barbariangrunge 4y agoThe "how we use data" popup, on the article about surveillance, was awkward
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- moneywoes 4y agoThe route is almost impossible to be a coincidence though
- seanmcdirmid 4y agoIt has to be along a jet stream, so you would be correct. It isn’t coincidentally along that jet stream, since it’s a balloon, and maneuverability is extreme limited to going up and down to catch different streams.
- nomay 4y agoWouldn't that be much more convenient to just use those passenger planes?
- KennyBlanken 4y ago...but a satellite is a stable platform, and a balloon is anything but. After your "weighing paint" comment I think you should probably stop talking.
- geysersam 4y agoBut according to some comment in this thread, it has happened several times before. If true, that's unlikely to be a mistake.