shot down objects civilian pranks?

[ribjig]

in news I've seen no discussion of possible civilian pranks
?4? most recent shot down objects since China balloon;
don't civilians regularly send up their GoPro cameras to
heights of 40K ft & higher...? not ruling out pranksters
are based in China / Russia...

 

[ribjig]

to make this thread of interest to dronists,
any indication public has become more
reactive to flying drones...?

 

[dangerd]

HOBBY BALLOON: $400K USD per AIM9 missile seems like a lot of $$$ to shoot down a Mylar balloon. Maybe send a slower aircraft to take a look first and then take it down with a bullet. Or leave it alone. https://www.npr.org/2023/02/18/1158048921/pico-balloon-k9yo