ChinaTalk BALLOONTALK: EMERGENCY EDITION
Feb 3, 2023
William 'Balloon Guy' Kim, an expert on high-altitude balloons, joins analysts Eric Lofgren and Gerard Dipippo to discuss the fallout of Chinese balloons over U.S. airspace. They delve into the balloon's potential roles in intelligence gathering, comparing it to satellites. The conversation traverses historical contexts of balloons in warfare and the complexities of military responses. They even touch on the now-defunct Project Loon and ponder the future of balloon technology in modern surveillance. The episode wraps with a playful nod to the lighter side of balloons.
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Early Balloon Use
- Balloons were used in the Civil War for artillery targeting, inflated with coal.
- In WWI, they were targeted by powered flight, but were dangerous due to hydrogen use.
Japanese Balloon Bombs
- Japan used balloons with incendiaries in WWII, targeting the Pacific Northwest to start fires.
- This was done after the U.S. bombed Japan and had a media blackout.
Balloons vs. Satellites
- Balloons offer advantages for intelligence collection over satellites due to their persistence and less predictable flight paths.
- Data collection can be done via satellite uplink or other means like lasers.