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Re:U-2 pilot's selfie above China's balloon taken over Misso... by Animats on Friday February 24, 2023 @07:40PM (#34932398)
> This is the only picture of the balloon fully intact that exists.

There are almost certainly much better pictures. This is just the pilot's selfie. The U-2 is built to take pictures. USAF: "The U-2 is capable of gathering a variety of imagery, including multi-spectral electro-optic, infrared, and synthetic aperture radar products which can be stored or sent to ground exploitation centers. In addition, it also supports high-resolution, broad-area synoptic coverage provided by the optical bar camera producing traditional film products which are developed and analyzed after landing. The U-2 also carries a signals intelligence payload."

Re:U-2 pilot's selfie above China's balloon taken over Misso... by hotpotamus on Friday February 24, 2023 @08:01PM (#34932560)
I doubt a U-2 camera could focus on another plane; I'd assume it's quite specialized for ground observation.
Re:U-2 pilot's selfie above China's balloon taken over Misso... by travisjungroth on Friday February 24, 2023 @08:29PM (#34932804)
It has a replaceable pod for a variety of equipment. They’ve been flying these for 67 years. I’d bet pretty strongly they were prepared.
Re:U-2 pilot's selfie above China's balloon taken over Misso... by libertyhouse on Friday February 24, 2023 @11:05PM (#34933771)
This looks like it was the two seat trainer version of the U-2 which doesn't carry mission equipment like the SYERS sensor or a data-link.
Re:U-2 pilot's selfie above China's balloon taken over Misso... by travisjungroth on Friday February 24, 2023 @11:26PM (#34933896)
I didn't know that. Shit, maybe they did just grab a Canon and go up there.
Re:U-2 pilot's selfie above China's balloon taken over Misso... by patapong on Friday February 24, 2023 @11:25PM (#34933885)
Would they really send a U-2 plane to pass by the balloon just to take a selfie?
Re:U-2 pilot's selfie above China's balloon taken over Misso... by BuyMyBitcoins on Friday February 24, 2023 @11:41PM (#34933977)
Just to take a selfie? The cynic in me thinks the DoD would totally value a photo-op enough to do this.

I’m not a jingoistic person but even I felt a tinge of awe and American pride when I saw the photo. The U2 is cool, and this photo depicts the US as in control of the situation in a way that we didn’t feel when this thing was in the news.