[LINK] OT: Spie in the Sky

[Tom Worthington]

On 7/2/23 15:06, Roger Clarke wrote:

> ... The US over-reacted ...

Reminiscent of the public panic when the USSR launched the first 
satellite. That surprised both the US Government and the USSR.

> ... basically, um, a lost weather balloon ...

It was a very big payload for a weather balloon. That makes it
suspicious, and dangerous (if it fell out of the sky on its own).

If this was a civilian scientific mission, why wasn't there a NOTAM 
(Notice to Airmen), to warn about it? Google's Project Loon used smaller 
balloons for Internet access, without incident. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loon_LLC

The USA perhaps overacted by using their most advanced fighter. The 
balloon might have sent back useful information about the attack, before 
being destroyed.

Australia has the capability to shoot down such balloons, using the same 
air to air missile used by the USA, or surface to air missiles on 
warships. ANU students wrote software to test the radar for the 
warships, but I don't think anyone mentioned balloons. ;-)

> ... emanations consistent with ET phoning home) ...

The balloon was large enough to have a very directional antenna,
pointing up to a satellite, undetectable from below. Project Loon tested 
laser communications which would be even harder to detect.

ps: Perhaps the RAAF can help the USA, under the AUKUS Agreement, as 
they have balloon experience. ;-) 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RAAF_balloon_VH-LVD_at_the_2013_AWM_open_day.jpg


-- 
Tom Worthington http://www.tomw.net.au