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A comment on U-2 pilot's selfie above China's balloon taken over Missouri: How we know that. Parent comment

Re:U-2 pilot's selfie above China's balloon taken over Misso... by jpgvm on Friday February 24, 2023 @09:44PM (#34933299)
That is house solar panels. For a craft like this you are using aerospace materials. If you were building it in your backyard yeah, you could probably do it cheap but my experience with commercial grade aerospace components makes me think you are going to be in for sticker shock.
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Re:U-2 pilot's selfie above China's balloon taken over Misso... by mfkp on Friday February 24, 2023 @09:59PM (#34933377)
I highly doubt they're using aerospace-grade solar panels. If they were installing them on a permanent satellite, sure, but this is on a presumably disposable balloon. Even accounting for higher solar radiation and degradation of the panels, the lifespan of regular terrestrial panels should be plenty sufficient.
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