nauseus

Perhaps this reaction-gauging was the main objective of the show?

The difference in altitude was much less but, yes, the cannon option was not really feasible.

The experts had already decided to let the balloon float across the US, this time, but it looks like there may be pressure for that policy not to become a regular event.

My post was to describe a possibility in the event of another balloon arrival, in case they decided to bring it down earlier if there is a next time. They have already shown that they can bring a balloon down from 60.000 feet, in a precise area, and then send in a "few machines to scoop up all the debris". Only a single ship, suitably equipped, is required for the recovery and the shallow shelf sea bottom is mostly soft and flat around the Aleutians. Yes, the weather is often bad over there but there are fair weather windows and the priority would be to stop the balloon from drifting across the entire North American continent rather than worrying about the junk, which could be collected later.

Backs to the wall lads!

Modified B17 in the Bond movie but Hercules was used in the other one - can't remember the name of it.

Well I never said he didn't take advice but I think Trump would have done the same. That's why they have all those brass hats around them.

Nonsense. They could bring balloons down close to a choice of several significant shelf areas, where the water depth is <50m. ROV's could be deployed to locate and recover any debris - if they actually wanted to bother doing that.

Helping Joe out over there I hope?

I think Biden said that the US had been talking to Beijing throughout - I would expect that. It is the potential for harmful payloads which concerns me most. I think I read that anti-surveillance measures were taken, at least over mainland USA.

Joe Biden is the C-in-C and has the call. I'll leave you with that worrying thought.

Like I said, not easy at 60,000ft. The F-22 could not match the altitude of the balloon. Limited options.

Because they don't make them like they used to.

Why would I admit to something both unproven and also challenged by former government people? You loathe Trump so much that you cannot contain your own speculation, bias and rants. But to the topic, there has been little evidence yet to show the real reason for this balloon visit but it does seem that it can carry quite an amount of equipment or cargo. We don't yet know what that cargo is this time, or what it could be in the future, under another balloon. Why take the chance of allowing one to drift over the whole country?

Speak for yourself.

Another fairytale starring Unnamed Sources, who has been very busy this week.

Or possibly grim reality.

And second place goes to...

Just alleged, so far, as ever.

The SA article begins with this: An expert explains why it’s so odd that the suspected Chinese spy balloon can change course. That means that somehow, it is steerable.

And the off-topic of the week award goes to......

So 'briefly' means all across the US? Right. Must have been supersonic balloons then.

Not a very scientific effort really. Villasenor does not actually say they are steerable.

But it says "I am friend - don't shoot"!

And how do you think this exact "pinpointing" can be achieved without satellites, in this day and age?