When the US Air Drive shot down some suspected Chinese language spy balloons a few weeks in the past, it was extensively reported that one of many targets may need been a way more innocent novice radio craft. The so-called pico balloon K9YO was a helium-inflated Mylar balloon carrying a tiny solar-powered WSPR beacon, and it abruptly disappeared in the identical place and time during which the USAF claimed certainly one of their targets. After we coated  the story it garnered an enormous variety of feedback each for and in opposition to the balloonists, so maybe it’s price returning with the views of a high-altitude-ballooning skilled.

[Dave Akerman] has been sending issues aloft for a very long time now, we expect he could have been one of many first to place a Raspberry Pi aloft again in 2012. In his weblog put up he makes an attempt to reply the ceaselessly requested questions on pico balloons, their legality, whether or not they need to carry a beacon, and what the distinction is between these balloons and the latex “climate balloon” sort we’re conversant in. It’s price a learn, as a result of not all of us are a part of the high-altitude balloon neighborhood and thus it’s good to teach oneself.

In the meantime, you’ll be able to learn our unique report right here.