Ongoing ‘spy balloons’ entering NORAD air space - up to no good

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by Faust

China condemns US ‘attack’ on surveillance balloon as ‘overreaction’

https://thehill.com/policy/internati...-overreaction/

Pretty unbelievable how America reacted to a benevolent weather balloon. I think we all know China wouldn’t ever dream to do anything underhanded and if they say it’s a weather balloon well I’m a goddamn moron and I believe them.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Pretty unbelievable how America reacted to a benevolent weather balloon. I think we all know China wouldn’t ever dream to do anything underhanded and if they say it’s a weather balloon well I’m a goddamn moron and I believe them.

I dont know about you, but I am keenly interested in the weather patterns of Northern Virginia and Latin America.

I keep Medellin as the #1 location on my phone's weather app regardless of the fact that its over 6,000kms away.

I must KNOW!

[activeStick]

Came upon this article from last summer. Pretty neat stuff.

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/...tary-balloons/

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by SutterBrother

Only active shootdown of hostile “aircraft” over US “mainland”… ever?

I know there was submarine action off the coasts in WW2 and ground combat in Alaska vs the Japanese. But is this the only time?

Way to go Maverick!

I remember listening to an awesome podcast episode from Radiolab that discussed the time the Japanese floated bombs via balloons over the Pacific that were designed to unleash hell on Murica. Was really fascinating but can't remember the episode name.

Edit - found it! Highly recommend a listen! The Japanese government got school kids to hand-fold the special paper into 9000 balloons!

https://radiolab.org/episodes/fu-go

As for other countries shooting down hostile aircraft invading their airspace, Russia shot down an American spy plane that was in Soviet airspace in the 60s.

On#May 1, 1960, the pilot of an American U-2 spyplane was shot down while flying though Soviet airspace. The fallout over the incident resulted in the cancellation of the Paris Summit scheduled to discuss the ongoing situation in divided Germany, the possibility of an arms control or test ban treaty, and the relaxation of tensions between the#USSR#and the United States.

https://history.state.gov/milestones...60/u2-incident

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Came upon this article from last summer. Pretty neat stuff.

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/...tary-balloons/

The debate over the vertical limit of national airspace is actually pretty interesting, and there is no internationally agreed upon ceiling. Some countries favour an exact number, like 100 km ASL, but other countries feel that if a country is unable navigate, launch, or return crafts at a particular height, then that space can't be claimed as sovereign airspace. Basically the space over a country that they can theoretically operate within. Obviously, the latter favours more advanced countries.

Other countries support a hybrid of the two where a country is guaranteed sovereign airspace to a certain height regardless of ability to use that space, but anything above that is fair game if they don't have the ability to navigate it themselves.

It would probably be good if the UN could finally hammer out a strict rule on this as it will likely become more of an issue as technology advances. We have accepted that satellites at 160 km ASL do not violate airspace, but where that line should begin isn't clear, so I guess from that stand point, China might have a point.

Personally, I feel if the U.S. used balloons at 90,000 ft and Russia or China could shoot them down, I wouldn't hold it against them and it would be within their right. Everyone spies on everyone, but that doesn't mean you should let them if you can help it.

[activeStick]

Every country has a right to defend their air space against unauthorized visitors - totally agree. Really cool info too about the lack of standard or agreement, thanks for sharing.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Every country has a right to defend their air space against unauthorized visitors - totally agree. Really cool info too about the lack of standard or agreement, thanks for sharing.

I can't wait for a leader of a powerful nation to get pedantic about this. The exosphere goes past 10,000km from earth. Any satellite zipping through my "airspace"? Knock it down like they did to this floating party favour.

[Locke]

Has it been confirmed yet that upon impact with the missile eagle-eyed observers spotted confetti slowly floating down to Earth?

[Rutuu]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Pretty unbelievable how America reacted to a benevolent weather balloon. I think we all know China wouldn’t ever dream to do anything underhanded and if they say it’s a weather balloon well I’m a goddamn moron and I believe them.

It makes me feel like they really need to spy on North America and Europe MORE as the past couple years they don't seem to have a clue how to get what they want.

[Lubicon]

I sure hope the Raptor pilot gets to paint a balloon on his aircraft, he'll be the envy of his squadron.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

I sure hope the Raptor pilot gets to paint a balloon on his aircraft, he'll be the envy of his squadron.

Spoiler!

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Locke

Spoiler!

Nice!

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

I sure hope the Raptor pilot gets to paint a balloon on his aircraft, he'll be the envy of his squadron.

He did, but it's stealth gray, so you can't see it.

[Reaper]

Goodnight sun
Goodnight moon
Goodnight Chinese Spy Balloon

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Reaper

Goodnight sun
Goodnight moon
Goodnight Chinese Spy Balloon

I dont know why I found that so funny, but I did.

[Inglewood Jack]

A Chinese spy balloon one day got shot
Its mission, to spy, was all for naught
It flew in the sky
But was brought down, oh my!
Its secrets, forever, will not be caught.

- chatgpt

[MoneyGuy]

I’m arguing with a friend who is certain that’s a weather balloon.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I’m arguing with a friend who is certain that’s a weather balloon.

I'm no fancy 'Big City Meteorologist' or anything but...do they even still use those?

Also, does he have an idea where the 'Swamp Gas' came from?

Where was the Grassy Knoll?

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Locke

I'm no fancy 'Big City Meteorologist' or anything but...do they even still use those?

Also, does he have an idea where the 'Swamp Gas' came from?

Where was the Grassy Knoll?

He’s generally pretty smart about these things. Not a conspiracy theorist at all. I’m shocked he believes that.

[afc wimbledon]

well yes it is a weather balloon, it may not be being used as a weather balloon but it still is a weather balloon