I don't get the spy balloon thing when there are satellites that can zoom down and count the hairs on a gnats butt.
Balloons have advantages over satellites....
- They're at much lower altitude...60,000 to 100,000 feet,
& can take higher resolution photos.
- They lack a predictable path schedule, unlike satellites,
for which the military prepares by hiding activities.
- They're cheaper.
- They're harder to spot, with only the payload being
readily visible to radar.
China's claim that they went off course strikes me as
dubious. They can steer somewhat, but they'd certainly
expect prevailing westerly to carry some of their many
balloons over N Ameristan.