https://www.cbsnews.com/gooddaysacramento/video/talking-balloons-with-an-aerospace-engineer/
Here’s the direct link to balloon expert JP explaining the Chinese balloons. Note: in 2011, JP Aerospace launched a steerable balloon (dirigible) which reached 95,085 ft MSL, setting a new world record for dirigible flight. His 18000 free student experiments to the edge of space were launched by 200 or more separate balloon missions. http://www.jpaerospace.com.
https://youtube.com/shorts/k–NqQBCkpo?feature=share
The “speedship” appearing balloons provided early design answers in the dev of the Ascender class airships at http://www.jpaerospace.com. These and other efforts of @JohnMPowell1 inspired the foundational books of private sector space dev in The Space Trade, editions 1 and 2, at http://www.thespacetrade.com
John M. Powell coming to us from http://www.jpaerospace.com provides a different approach to the Chinese balloon mystery. My own take is that it’s just one of the many thousands of weather balloons launched every day. They pass by overhead and no one seems to notice them. The video gives a balloon expert’s opinion. JP has more than 40 experience in aerospace and has lifted over 18000 student experiments to the edge of space, using balloon systems. http://www.jpaerospace.com
For space economics, read The Space Trade at http://www.thespacetrade.com
As John M. Powell explains in the video, the Chinese balloon is likely above 100 thousand feet above sea level. No plane with bullets can reach that high. Even if a fighter jet could send bullets through the balloon, the bullet holes are small and would take hours and probably days to down the balloon and its package. By then the balloon could be over Chinese territory again.
A missile may not be able to spot the tiny radar signature of the balloon, and if a missle exploded the balloon cargo, the resultant debris would be difficult to gather and take a long time to analyze. JP’s four decades plus of rocketry and balloon experiments provides an authoritative voice for all things traveling the skies. More videos at http://www.jpaerospace.com. Click on the Menu to find Videos.
Chris “The Brain” got my attention with this new conceptual door which opened and pulled me through to the other side to understanding 5 dimensions in a new way for just me? No. He got an extended flurry of comments. Instead of a nap, listen to Chris. If you fall asleep just replay it with a cup of coffee in hand. Tell me it’s not worth it.
https://youtube.com/shorts/9ydCHdXJovc?feature=share
Another helpful tip from John M Powell of JP Aerospace. See all his YouTube videos. Go to http://www.jpaerospace.com and click the upper menu for videos.
Nicely narrated throughout from launch to balloon burst to landing. Explores each phase of the mission.
https://youtube.com/shorts/-yBXOn96Ibw?feature=share
These radioactive lantern masks belong to a former era. I hope.
https://youtube.com/shorts/RwI0pcSEhyc?feature=share
What part of the balloon, the workhorse of John Powell’s JP Aerospace experiments in the upper regions at the edge of space, is the first to burst? Is it the top or the bottom where the balloon is connected to the tether and the experiment racks below it? I thought it was the nethers of the latex balloon, but this video changed my mind. Yet, does it always happen this way? Maybe JP can tell us. http://www.jpaerospace.com
For a summary of the private sector future in space, and how JP Aerospace helps get us there, see http://www.thespacetrade.com
The Space Trade Update 
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