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Satellite orbits are pretty easy to predict. You can do your secret stuff when you know there is a gap in coverage and then throw a tarp over it when they are p
by Fatnino 4y ago
Satellite orbits are pretty easy to predict. You can do your secret stuff when you know there is a gap in coverage and then throw a tarp over it when they are passing overhead. A balloon screws this up. It can go anywhere anytime. Now you need to keep the tarp in place for longer stretches of time and it gets annoying.
- postalrat 4y agoIf that balloon could go anywhere anytime then why can't I?
- mrguyorama 4y agoAre you willing to take an AIM-9X to the face? Because if you are willing to be intercepted you can go a lot of places. At least, once.
- somenameforme 4y agoI believe that is the point he was making. 90 foot balloons aren't exactly discrete and if they were ever used for spying, their shelf life would be extremely low with a high probability of ending up being seized by whoever you were spying on, on top of it. Maybe you have some self detonation mechanism on board, but now you also are sending something which could be perceived to be a weapon. It's just really not a logical concept, at all.
- Fatnino 4y agoMost countries can't hit something hanging out at 60000 feet. The US can, but it can also blow up satellites. So if you can send satellites over unmolested, maybe you also try with a huge-ass balloon. It's way cheaper. Worth a shot.