Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

czyzczyz t1_j9ifw5q wrote

It is worth noting that it is possible for stratospheric balloons to navigate with purpose within the chaos of different wind currents by controlling their altitude in order to choose which current to ride at a given moment. This is a thing that has been done. How difficult it is I leave to the nation states that might want to sense something they can’t detect from satellite altitudes (like magnetic fluctuations?) —or to the ham radio enthusiasts whose $100 Arduino balloons attract the ire of very expensive jet-fired munitions.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210222-how-googles-hot-air-balloon-surprised-its-creators

2