Chinese Spy Balloon Has Unexpected Maneuverability

Pentagon officials announced on Thursday that they had detected a Chinese “surveillance balloon” flying over Montana. On Friday the Pentagon’s press secretary said that the balloon is now over the central U.S. and moving eastward at an altitude of about 60,000 feet. Observers on the ground have been able to snap photographs and videos of the object, and the incident has prompted Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a planned trip to China.

This maneuverability is beyond the capabilities of most high-altitude balloons, says John Villasenor, director of the Institute for Technology, Law and Policy and a professor of electrical engineering, law, public policy and management at the University of California, Los Angeles. “The only balloons I’ve ever heard of are the ones that can go up and down or the ones that don’t do anything—they just go completely at the mercy of the winds,” he says.

It can be controlled, but let me be careful about what I mean by that. Balloons go with the wind. And so the only control that a balloon has is: in some balloons, you can control the altitude—you can make it go higher or lower. To the extent that the wind speed and direction varies with altitude, you can change the altitude, within some limits. And that can give you some measure of control—but not anywhere near the level of control that you have [with an airplane].

The general prevailing wind patterns are well known. I’m sure almost all Scientific American readers know it takes longer to fly from the East Coast to the West Coast than from the West Coast to the East Coast. The flights are longer because you’re generally flying against the wind going west instead of with the wind going east. Those prevailing winds are the same reasons why a balloon launched in China can end up in the U.S.

They have started moving. Only GOD can help US! PS- Balloons are not Chinese. They are many.

笑死我了，一个气象气球被美国政府炒作成间谍气球，哈哈哈哈

It can only change course because Dementia Joe is too busy fellating the CCP to order it shot down.

It wasn't a 'spy balloon'. It was a high-altitude weather test balloon. The Chinese wouldn't use such a clumsy device to spy on the US. And there's another one off-course over S. America. Washington is simply using this incident to drum up anti-China sentiment. This is obvious.

Dirigibles had maneuverability, using ailerons and propellers. Consider how small blades work for drones.

Solar cells for power and a rudder.

it is just Swampgas !!!

They have satellites that can see what meat You got on Your BBQ, they do not need Balons, they use weather balloons in Australia for Weather surveillance !!!

I'm no scientist, but is the correct answer Jetstream?

It is now shot down by USAF over water where people and property won’t be harmed.

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