High altitude balloons, air tanks, & radar
Basically the story is set in a world with roughly present day technology. There is an airbase located on an island not too far away from the coast, while the coast itself is mostly unclaimed for various reasons. My group wants to have a look at this airbase, but getting past the radars would be difficult. They could send airplanes, but they'd rather be more subtle.
The solution they pick is to use a manned high-altitude balloon which will pass over the island at roughly 80 - 100 000 feet. The reason for a manned balloon is that they want to make sure that the cameras and other instruments are aimed at the most interesting spots.
My questions are as follows:
1. Given that they want to hide from radar can you make the balloon basket from entirely composite materials? Including the ballooners air tank? Could such a balloon be more or less undetectable?
2. Assuming that they release the balloons from a freighter, and that the winds are reasonably stable, can they ensure that the balloons get within 15 miles of the island? How about 30 miles?
3. How good are the pictures likely to be, assuming of course that they have access to military grade cameras, and other passive sensor equipment (with the caveat that it has to fit aboard the balloon)?
The solution they pick is to use a manned high-altitude balloon which will pass over the island at roughly 80 - 100 000 feet. The reason for a manned balloon is that they want to make sure that the cameras and other instruments are aimed at the most interesting spots.
My questions are as follows:
1. Given that they want to hide from radar can you make the balloon basket from entirely composite materials? Including the ballooners air tank? Could such a balloon be more or less undetectable?
2. Assuming that they release the balloons from a freighter, and that the winds are reasonably stable, can they ensure that the balloons get within 15 miles of the island? How about 30 miles?
3. How good are the pictures likely to be, assuming of course that they have access to military grade cameras, and other passive sensor equipment (with the caveat that it has to fit aboard the balloon)?