Chinese Balloon Mystery Solved

[KenH]

It's a giant Johnny Astro!

 

[Cathode]

Spy balloon? You know who else would use one?

 

[unprofitable]

Funny posts.

On a more serious note, the question that I cannot resolve is why was a missile used to bring down the balloon, instead, as had been speculated, 20 mm cannon. Consultants said that using 20 mm would result in a longer slower descent. Is it possible they wanted to bring it down within the 12 mile territorial limit and were afraid that using 20 mm would cause a more unpredictable descent? Using the missile that totally destroyed the balloon would almost ensure that the intelligence package would be severely damaged. Was this to assuage the Chinese? Well, I am getting out past the 12 mile limit.

 

[canadyjd]

Funny posts.

On a more serious note, the question that I cannot resolve is why was a missile used to bring down the balloon, instead, as had been speculated, 20 mm cannon. Consultants said that using 20 mm would result in a longer slower descent. Is it possible they wanted to bring it down within the 12 mile territorial limit and were afraid that using 20 mm would cause a more unpredictable descent? Using the missile that totally destroyed the balloon would almost ensure that the intelligence package would be severely damaged. Was this to assuage the Chinese? Well, I am getting out past the 12 mile limit.

The balloon had an altitude of 60 thousand feet. Commercial jets fly at about 35 thousand feet. I don’t know if the fighter jets could climb to 60k feet to use the 20 mm guns effectively?

Maybe someone with more knowledge could reply? Could the fighters reach 60 thousand feet and the 20mm guns be effective?

peace to you

 

[unprofitable]

The balloon had an altitude of 60 thousand feet. Commercial jets fly at about 35 thousand feet. I don’t know if the fighter jets could climb to 60k feet to use the 20 mm guns effectively?

Maybe someone with more knowledge could reply? Could the fighters reach 60 thousand feet and the 20mm guns be effective?

peace to you

Good point. Quick check seems to indicate 50 thousand feet is usual maximum elevation of the F18. One pilot said his maximum altitude achieved was 92,800 feet achieved over 28 km. Like I said I am beyond the 12 miles limit on this subject

 

[KenH]

Using the missile that totally destroyed the balloon would almost ensure that the intelligence package would be severely damaged.

Sounds to me that the United States government wanted to recover as much as possible of the package to see what the package was.

 

[unprofitable]

Sounds to me that the United States government wanted to recover as much as possible of the package to see what the package was.

I hope they did. Do you think that it looked like a crushed soda can after a fall from that altitude and speed? I would say NASA could give them an idea.

 

[KenH]

Do you think that it looked like a crushed soda can after a fall from that altitude and speed?

I don't know. At least it landed in water and not on land.