Eric Walker <[email protected]> wrote:
> In addition to technical considerations, there are two social > considerations: (1) it might be unnerving for some (most?) populations to > have a plane perpetually aloft that is owned by a private company that > could be carrying out reconnaissance or collecting data for its own > purposes; (2) in unstable areas those planes probably look like excellent > target practice for anyone with some stingers lying around. > They will fly at "60,000 and 90,000 feet, above commercial air traffic and weather . . ." That is far above stingers or other conventional anti-aircraft weapons. The 5 kW figure is for the aircraft engines. More power will be needed for the communication equipment. I do not think anyone will worry about reconnaissance. You can look at the thing and see it is not equipped with recon equipment such as cameras. Recon is done quite effectively with satellites, which cover everywhere, and which cannot be stopped. - Jed
