Subject: Re: That balloon
The video shows the missile striking at the base of the balloon, possibly even hitting the payload itself. If we were interested in examining the payload to gain intel on the ChiComs, it seem it would have been better to use a non-explosive missile and fly it through the upper portion of the balloon ripping it and leading to a slower descent of an intact payload.

I find it implausible the the US military is so completely incompetent they didn't consider the best way to bring down the balloon and recover the payload.