The mystery object shot down by the U.S. Air Force over Alaska on February 11th was likely a "pico balloon" launched by amateur radio operators.

K9YO-15 had been aloft for 123 days and was on its seventh circumnavigation of the globe when contact was lost on February 11th near Hagemeister Island in Alaska. The description from the Pentagon of a "small metallic balloon with a tethered payload" matches the typical pico balloon design. K9YO-15 consisted of a 32-inch silver mylar balloon and small (10 gram) electronics payload and likely cost less than $100 to build.

The Sidewinder AIM-9X missile used to shoot it down cost over $400,000.

https://www.space.com/mystery-object-shot-down-yukon-amateur-ballloon

#K9YO15 #Balloon #Balloons #USAF #AirForce #F22 #PicoBalloon #Alaska #Shoot #Military #Pentagon #Radio #HamRadio #AmateurRadio #USA #USPol #Space

The mystery object shot down by the U.S. Air Force over Alaska on February 11th was likely a "pico balloon" launched by amateur radio operators.

K9YO-15 had been aloft for 123 days and was on its seventh circumnavigation of the globe when contact was lost on February 11th near Hagemeister Island in Alaska. The description from the Pentagon of a "small metallic balloon with a tethered payload" matches the typical pico balloon design. K9YO-15 consisted of a 32-inch silver mylar balloon and small (10 gram) electronics payload and likely cost less than $100 to build.

The Sidewinder AIM-9X missile used to shoot it down cost over $400,000.

https://www.space.com/mystery-object-shot-down-yukon-amateur-
ballloon

#K9YO15 #Balloon #Balloons #USAF #AirForce #F22 #PicoBalloon #Alaska #Shoot #Military #Pentagon #Radio #HamRadio #AmateurRadio #USA #USPol #Space