NewsPronto

 
Men's Weekly

.

USA Conversation

The Conversation USA

The Conversation USA

Chinese spy balloon over the US: An aerospace expert explains how the balloons work and what they can see

  • Written by Iain Boyd, Professor of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder
imageA Chinese surveillance balloon in U.S. airspace before it was shot down by the U.S. military.Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The U.S. military shot down what U.S. officials called a Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4, 2023. Officials said that the U.S. Navy planned to recover the debris, which is in...

Read more: Chinese spy balloon over the US: An aerospace expert explains how the balloons work and what they...

More Articles ...

  1. Biden's plan for ending the emergency declaration for COVID-19 signals a pivotal point in the pandemic – 4 questions answered
  2. Native Americans have experienced a dramatic decline in life expectancy during the COVID-19 pandemic – but the drop has been in the making for generations
  3. A brief history of the Black church's diversity, and its vital role in American political history
  4. Police traffic stops can alienate communities and lead to violent deaths like Tyre Nichols' -- is it time to rethink them?
  5. Civil rights legislation sparked powerful backlash that's still shaping American politics
  6. 40 years of legal sports betting in Australia points to risks for US gamblers – and tips for regulators
  7. The ethical dilemmas behind plans for involuntary treatment to target homelessness, mental illness and addiction
  8. Guinea worm: A nasty parasite is nearly eradicated, but the push for zero cases will require patience
  9. New Advanced Placement African American Studies course is a watered down version of itself
  10. 5 facts about John Witherspoon, a slaveholder and the only university president to sign the Declaration of Independence
  11. How legalized sports betting has transformed the fan experience
  12. How the ancient Jewish 'new year for trees' became an Israeli celebration of nature
  13. ChatGPT is great – you're just using it wrong
  14. A journey from work to home is about more than just getting there – the psychological benefits of commuting that remote work doesn't provide
  15. Russia is violating the last remaining nuclear treaty with the US, according to Washington
  16. Why the Fed raised interest rates by the smallest amount since it began its epic inflation fight
  17. What international law says about Israel's planned destruction of Palestinian assailants' homes
  18. City planners are questioning the point of parking garages
  19. Lung cancer rates have decreased for the Marlboro Man, but have risen steeply for nonsmokers and young women – an oncologist explains why
  20. George Santos: A democracy can't easily penalize lies by politicians
  21. US is spending record amounts servicing its national debt – interest rate hikes add billions to the cost
  22. Sheriffs who see themselves as ultimate defenders of the Constitution are especially worried about gun rights
  23. Brazil's economic challenges are again Lula's to tackle – this time around they're more daunting
  24. Why are there prisons? An expert explains the history of using 'correctional' facilities to punish people
  25. How evangelicals moved from supporting environmental stewardship to climate skepticism
  26. US debt default could trigger dollar’s collapse – and severely erode America’s political and economic might
  27. Meet Bayard Rustin, often-forgotten civil rights activist, gay rights advocate, union organizer, pacifist and man of compassion for all in trouble
  28. Limits to computing: A computer scientist explains why even in the age of AI, some problems are just too difficult
  29. Does this cause cancer? How scientists determine whether a chemical is carcinogenic – sometimes with controversial results
  30. 'Acts that defy humanity:' 3 essential reads on police brutality, race and the power of video evidence
  31. FDA advisory committee votes unanimously in favor of a one-shot COVID-19 vaccine approach – 5 questions answered
  32. Independent voters can be decisive in elections – but they're pretty unpredictable, not 'shadow partisans'
  33. Rural Americans aren't included in inflation figures – and for them, the cost of living may be rising faster
  34. LA's long, troubled history with urban oil drilling is nearing an end after years of health concerns
  35. Power struggles in nature can be more subtle, nuanced and strategic than just dog-eat-dog
  36. It shouldn't seem so surprising when the pope says being gay 'isn't a crime' – a Catholic theologian explains
  37. Beavers and oysters are helping restore lost ecosystems with their engineering skills – podcast
  38. What's effective altruism? A philosopher explains
  39. Ukraine has a mixed record of treating its citizens fairly – that could make it harder for it to maintain peace, once the war ends
  40. People blame and judge parents for children's heavier weights
  41. How California's ambitious new climate plan could help speed energy transformation around the world
  42. Debates over sacred images in the Byzantine Empire show why it's hard to appease any side
  43. Prince Harry's kill count revelation could spark important discussions about war's effects on soldiers
  44. US will give military tanks to Ukraine, signaling Western powers' long-term commitment to thwarting Russia
  45. COVID-19 deaths in the US continue to be undercounted, research shows, despite claims of 'overcounts'
  46. Even bivalent updated COVID-19 boosters struggle to prevent omicron subvariant transmission – an immunologist discusses why new approaches are necessary
  47. Fossil teeth reveal how brains developed in utero over millions of years of human evolution – new research
  48. The SAT and ACT are less important than you might think
  49. Calls for Pope Benedict's sainthood make canonizing popes seem like the norm – but it's a long and politically fraught process
  50. Starbucks fans are steamed: The psychology behind why changes to a rewards program are stirring up anger, even though many will get grande benefits