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U.S. military shoots down suspected Chinese surveillance balloon

cnbc.com

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Re: U.S. military shoots down suspected Chinese surveillance balloon

#251

Post by humanizersequel »

KennyBlanken wrote: post #171
cududa wrote: post #25

I had seen reports that the balloon was the length of 3-4 school busses but it appears that was misreported and just repeated. The PAYLOAD was the length of 3-4 school busses. I haven’t been following this much until today/ vaguely aware as an amusing background story. But, has anyone seen high res photos of the balloon or someone doing back of the envelope math on the size of the balloon portion? I ask simply becaus…

It looks like the large size is mostly just solar panels (I'm assuming that's what they were; they could have been 'sails' to help steer it) and their scaffolding. From some of the available photos there's two wings, each with eight panels. There's a tradeoff between the weight of the solar panels vs simply using batteries (though batteries don't like the cold, and solar panels do), so I think maybe they were hoping…

>They can task commercial satellites and get as good or better imagery.

Is that true? Just from quickly poking around, LEO satellites seem to orbit at about triple the height, moving far faster than a balloon lazily floating along the jetstream. Probably can use a larger variety of instruments as well.

Re: U.S. military shoots down suspected Chinese surveillance balloon

#253

Post by scoofy »

qqtt wrote: post #184
yohanshi wrote: post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a taiwanese who lurks on hacker news for many years but when I saw this post I had to make an account. You are dead wrong, China is an enemy of the free world, pure and simple. South Koreans and Ukrainians would agree with me here. Especially since China has declared no limit friendship with russia

The world should also be very concerned about the current leader in China, who is currently re-writing the democratic traditions of China to remain in power indefinitely, which echoes the moves certain other leaders have made. This is, time and time again, a precursor to using military adventurism to justify and consolidate their grip on power. If anything, people aren't worried enough. Being overly sensitive about a…

>re-writing the democratic traditions of China

Ha! "Democracy" (only approved ideologies need apply).

Re: U.S. military shoots down suspected Chinese surveillance balloon

#254

Post by [deleted] »

unity1001 wrote: post #221
LarryMullins wrote: post #199

Earlier quoted context omitted.

America voted for a president who said he would, but then reneged on that promise. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/aug/31/obama-... Fuck you Obama!

Well. If the Americans at least showed the actual war criminals in their midst same rencor that they are exhibiting against concocted/alleged war criminals abroad, things could change. But they aren't. They aren't even using harsh language against them. Instead, they are directing all their ire and harshest words always against "others' crimes"...

[deleted]

Re: U.S. military shoots down suspected Chinese surveillance balloon

#255

Post by chitowneats »

sebzim4500 wrote: post #189
chitowneats wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No one is confused about the result of the use of nuclear weapons. Has Russia used them yet in their almost year-long war against Ukraine? Has the U.S.? Update your assumptions. All major powers are exploring how they might wage war short of nukes.

>All major powers are exploring how they might wage war short of nukes. Certainly not with balloons.

The Chinese are a very innovative major power. Underestimate them at your own risk.

Re: U.S. military shoots down suspected Chinese surveillance balloon

#256

Post by Vecr »

bradleyjg wrote: post #202
qqtt wrote: post #184

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The world should also be very concerned about the current leader in China, who is currently re-writing the democratic traditions of China to remain in power indefinitely, which echoes the moves certain other leaders have made. This is, time and time again, a precursor to using military adventurism to justify and consolidate their grip on power. If anything, people aren't worried enough. Being overly sensitive about a…

Uh, what democratic traditions of China?

They have some, possibly with Deng Xiaoping and that sort of era. Obviously Taiwan is democratic, but I'm not sure how much of that goes back to when the ROC controlled more of mainland China.

Re: U.S. military shoots down suspected Chinese surveillance balloon

#257

Post by pigsty »

sandworm101 wrote: post #241
hfbff wrote: post #197

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you saying that the US does believe in a rules-based international system? Let's count the number of countries the USA has invaded vs China...and the government topples with the help of the USA vs China

Yes. Most every one of those invasions was preceded by international diplomacy and coalition building. China/Russia dont care for the UN or building consensus with allies. They are willing to just go on the word of a supreme leader. We might not like the outcomes, but the US does accept that the international stage is governed by rules. That is why a country like canada feels no threat from the US wheras every countr…

I don’t think people in central and South America, Vietnam, the Middle East, and so on were happy when diplomacy and coalitions were built against them to instate dictatorships and/or kill millions.

America satisfies its allies. Those Allies are happy to be the enemies of China and Russia for financial benefits and some border protection . Who, despite your comment, do build consensus with their allies and they’re content with being enemies of the US also in exchange for financial benefits and border protection. All 3 countries have their own spheres of influence and all 3 project themselves to be heroes while one of the others is a villain at all times.

The OP is right here—jingoism on HN because of a balloon is something beyond what is normal here.

Re: U.S. military shoots down suspected Chinese surveillance balloon

#258

Post by drblastoff »

james4k wrote: post #214
BurningFrog wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Since China is the major rival as a global superpower in the medium to long term, it has to be taken seriously as a threat. Of course jingoistic idiots will do what they do. But there is a kernel of unavoidable truth there.

It is unavoidable in that we have a world order where 5% of the world population maintains a dominance which can only wither away if the rest of the world is allowed to develop.

You think the rest of the world has not developed? Have you been out in the world?

Re: U.S. military shoots down suspected Chinese surveillance balloon

#259

Post by darkwraithcov »

yohanshi wrote: post #158
pxc wrote: post #102

I am so tired of China being used to stoke American jingoism, of politicians making a contest of who is really 'tough on China' and, most horrifyingly, of seeing other USians online practically salivate as they fantasize about a war with China. It's some cold war boogieman horseshit. And it's depressing to watch here on Hacker News, too, any comments that question the beating of those war drums go dead. Yesterday I h…

As a taiwanese who lurks on hacker news for many years but when I saw this post I had to make an account. You are dead wrong, China is an enemy of the free world, pure and simple. South Koreans and Ukrainians would agree with me here. Especially since China has declared no limit friendship with russia

This is what Israelis were saying about Iraq. It may be true, but also not a compelling reason for war or escalating tension.

Re: U.S. military shoots down suspected Chinese surveillance balloon

#260

Post by ascotan »

amelius wrote: post #114

So they waited until the balloon was over sea. This raises the question: why didn't the military see it coming and destroy it before it crossed the border?

This isn't the first balloon with equipment on it that has overflown US territory (which should also put to rest the 'rogue weather balloon' theory). China has been doing this ever since Trump started levying import taxes on Chinese goods. This particular balloon was brazen enough to be loitering over military targets for some time. It makes sense to do a shoot down over the ocean so you can have a better chance to recover the payload for analysis.
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