The amateur radio community remains concerned about three recent UFO accidents in North American airspace: one over Alaska, one over the Yukon in northwestern Canada, and one over Lake Huron. The object that happened on February 11 turned out to be flew from the sky over the Yukon a U.S. Air Force jet might be an amateur “pico balloon”—specifically the K9YO-15 taking off from Independence Grove Forest Reserve. Libertyville, Illinois is north of Chicago. K9YO-15 was apparently making its seventh circumnavigation after 123 days in the air.

A small balloon that travels well

According to Carey Willis of the Northern Illinois Balloon Brigade (NIBBB), there are about three million radio amateurs worldwide. NIBBB is a subset of this group, a small group of pico balloon enthusiasts.

“Our balloons are very small, 32 inches in diameter. [81 сантиметр]circumference 100 inches [254 см]pre-stretched and carrying a load of about 10 grams [0,35 унції]Including a tracker, solar panel and 33-ft. [10 метрів] antenna cable,” Willis told Inside Outer Space.

The K9YO-15 balloon uses a 32-inch silver mylar sphere available for as little as $13.33.

“Our pico balloon, K9YO, has been flying for 123 days, preparing for its seventh round-the-world flight and disappeared over Canada,” said Willis. “This was not K9YO’s first disappearance. After the fifth circumnavigation trip in 77 days, K9YO disappeared for 30 days, was reported over Mongolia on the 106th day, and completed the sixth circumnavigation in 112 days. “I believe our communication with the FBI will help them scientifically define our project.”

missing people

Speaking to a member of the NIBBB team, Willis said, “We should be proud of the work we do and hope to continue our project by engaging with amateur radio stations around the world.”

Since the K9YO-15 pico bullet has not been heard from for days, enthusiasts describe it as “missing”. The object was last reported on February 11 near Hagemeister Island in Alaska.

According to the Pentagon, the object dropped over Canada that day was “a small metal balloon with an attached charge” – apparently consistent with a pico-balloon.

“We still don’t know exactly what these three objects are. But nothing now indicates that they are related. in china US President Joe Biden said on Thursday (February 16th) that they are either a balloon reconnaissance program or surveillance tools from any other country. ) at a press briefing on the United States’ response to recent air targets.

“Once we set parameters to determine how to deal with unidentified air objects in US airspace, we proceeded with great care,” Biden said.

Biden said current assessment The intelligence community is that “the three objects are most likely balloons attached to private companies, recreational or research facilities that study the weather or conduct other scientific research.” A number of organizations, including countries, companies and research organizations, “use high-altitude facilities for non-despicable purposes, including legitimate scientific research,” he added.

“Absolutely safe”

Douglas Malnati, a radio amateur throwing picoballs, said the possible downfall of K9YO-15 was an accident.

“Pico balloons are safe. I think when the government gets a better understanding of what they’re seeing, they’ll agree,” Malnati told Inside Outer Space.

“Pico balloons do not spy on anyone and it is perfectly safe to be in the sky with airplanes. FAA [Федеральне авіаційне управління США] Malnati has guidelines on what can and cannot be flown, and pico balloons are well within safety thresholds, so they pose no danger to airplanes or people on the ground,” said Malnati.

“Generally speaking, I suspect the hit-and-run thing was a misunderstanding,” Malnati said. “As for the future of pico balloons, I hope more people will be attracted to this hobby and enjoy it!”