Faelwolf t1_j70jakz wrote on February 3, 2023 at 4:52 AM

After the U2 incident, the major powers came to a gentleman's agreement that they don't shoot down our stuff, we don't shoot down theirs. China has not held to the agreement very well (or successfully, they fired on our SR-71's but never got a hit) but we likely don't want to start that whole mess again.

Considering the number of spy satellites China has over the US at any given time, this strikes me more as a psyop or a unrelated project that went off track than specifically a spy balloon.

9detat t1_j71emvo wrote on February 3, 2023 at 11:23 AM

KAL007 would like a word. 1983, 269 fatalities, Soviet Air Force Sukhoi Su-15.

Faelwolf t1_j73xw6z wrote on February 3, 2023 at 10:05 PM

There was much more to KAL007 than just a spy plane would have been.

Thebanks1 t1_j720t9o wrote on February 3, 2023 at 2:42 PM

To me if you violate a countries sovereign airspace you should expect to be shot at. That goes for all sides.

Faelwolf t1_j73zeo9 wrote on February 3, 2023 at 10:15 PM

The U2 incident nearly started WW3, so they decided to temper that a bit. Any lower level incursion does get an intercept, though usually along the lines of "yes we see you". We played a lot of cat and mouse games with the Soviets over the Bering Sea. :)

Thebanks1 t1_j74hwuw wrote on February 4, 2023 at 12:26 AM

Sure and the Suez Crisis almost started WW3. The Cuban Missile Crisis almost started WW3. Solar flares almost started WW3. I mean from the 60s on almost farting would cause WW3. So I don’t think they can be the barometer for disregarding borders.

blahbleh112233 t1_j71hs8c wrote on February 3, 2023 at 11:59 AM

Or it could just be a science balloon. Unless they're launching these things en masse, they're gonna learn like that japanese did in WWII that trusting wind patterns isn't the most effective thing

Faelwolf t1_j73yof1 wrote on February 3, 2023 at 10:10 PM

The image shown matches a scientific device quite well, especially the balloon itself is typical US Meteorological Service. The path it's taken has me thinking it may have originated in Alaska, where the USMS has a major facility. Could also be Canadian, but I'm not familiar with their programs.