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There is no agreed altitude. > can China shoot down one of US’ low orbit satellites saying it flew over its airspace? These balloons beg that question.... The
by georgeg23 4y ago
There is no agreed altitude.
> can China shoot down one of US’ low orbit satellites saying it flew over its airspace?
These balloons beg that question.... The first one was even made to look like a satellite.
- aflag 4y agoI think it'd be hard to argue that something that's no even in orbit is not in a country's airspace.
- georgeg23 4y agoLow Earth satellites also need continuous active thrust/lift to maintain orbit because of the air drag. At dispense Starlink satellites come back in 1-2 days without thrusters.
- aflag 4y agoSo are you arguing that being in orbit is not sufficient? Perhaps, but I'd say it's at least a necessary condition.
- georgeg23 4y agoYes, or from the Chinese perspective, balloons are a legitimate response to the US violation of their space with LEO, especially kinetic attack satellites: https://breakingdefense.com/2018/08/space-based-missile-defense-is-doable-dod-rd-chief-griffin/ https://breakingdefense.com/2018/08/space-based-missile-defe...