On: US jet shoots down unknown object flying off Alaska coast

[postalrat]

Because they fly a bit higher?

[rfrey → postalrat]

Yes. Sovereign airspace versus not.

[blendergeek → rfrey]

Also Kessler syndrome.

[mensetmanusman → rfrey]

I wouldn’t put it past the Chinese to deploy islands of atmosphere and release air in low earth orbit, and then declare that it is now part of the Chinese atmosphere before they start shooting down satellites.