Ok - what are these flying objects the US keeps shooting down

[fissty]

First the ballon

Then a mysterious object the size of a car

now another BBC alert they are tracking another “ufo” across Canada…..

Chinese?

Aliens?

They've shot down the Canada one too. Odd that's there's a spate of them.

They’re heeeeeere.

I think I'd prefer aliens 👽

The FBI are investigating according to the BBC…

It is soooo weird!!

we will find out when we find out - they cant be identified until the wreckage is found

It's likely just old fashioned spying machines

and here i thought the only thing norad did was track santa

Why use a balloon when everyone is already watching each other via satellite?

Sssh, they're just weather balloons, obviously 🙄😉

And they say Mumsnet isn’t racist Lollypop.

Aliens. Its definitely aliens.

It will make Brexit, Covid and Ukraine war threads with people freaking out, look tame.

Bring it on!

lollypop, I reported that image. I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt and assuming you didn’t think it through. I would suggest you report it yourself as well.

we can find ways to joke about the balloons that don’t play into stereotypes.

You might be interested in my thread from last week about the balloon(s) over the US, Canada and South America.

To be concerned about the balloon discovered hovering over Montana http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/4734537-to-be-concerned-about-the-balloon-discovered-hovering-over-montana

Nah, they'll see the state of the place and hit reverse.

Christ almighty.

Are we in 1950's Britain?!!

Satellite images are blurred over sensitive sites, and satelites have regular trajectories - their route can't be fine tuned. (That said, the mysterious discs were said to be blowing in the wind).

They're not blurred if you own the satellite and are taking the picture with the right equipment..😳

But yes it's true that one disadvantage of satellites is that they are predictable and stuff on the ground can be hidden from view/turned off if one is due, also their orbit can't easily/cheaply be shifted..OTOH a balloon isn't that easy to steer either.

One advantage balloons might have is that they are able to some extent dwell over a spot for some time (rather than blasting past) and potentially get closer than a satellite to anything of interest (which can be useful)

All that said one possibility for what is going on is the Chinese (if it is them) are simply mischief making...

Much cheaper than spy planes. More deniable, less aggressive. Can test your spying capability without threatening the other country

True - they can certainly test your detection capability.....

They’re giant willies being waved. Because that’s what that is; Willy waving.

After the pandemic and war..

One was shot down over Russia in January too.