Spy Balloon Debate

Comments debate whether high-altitude balloons, such as the recent Chinese incident, are innocuous weather balloons or surveillance devices, often comparing them to satellites and suggesting balloons as cheaper alternatives for loitering or launches.

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Keywords

US twitter.com archive.ph GPS google.com API balloon balloons weather air helium altitude satellites helicopter latex hydrogen

Sample Comments

atlantic Aug 26, 2014 View on HN

I'm surprised no-one has suggested weather balloons.

everyone Feb 19, 2019 View on HN

Why not use a balloon? or dirigible or something like that?

404error Jul 10, 2013 View on HN

It's probably just a weather balloon. :-)

jackcarter Apr 2, 2017 View on HN

Couldn't you just as easily use a balloon on a tether?

uejfiweun Jun 10, 2023 View on HN

Who needs satellites when balloons exist?

bigmattystyles Feb 3, 2023 View on HN

What can be done with a balloon that a satellite cannot?

sys_64738 Sep 10, 2022 View on HN

Are these just weather balloons?

InfiniteRand Nov 9, 2023 View on HN

Just say it's a weather balloon

paulddraper Jan 16, 2017 View on HN

More like "belt and helium balloons" approach.

mp3jeep01 Nov 9, 2010 View on HN

Clearly it's a weather balloon...