[353FMG]

It seems that the US is more concerned in shooting down the balloon than its recovery. Easier to hide any compromising evidence.

[LouAvul]

Not unlike us tossing Osama’s “corpse” into the ocean under cover of darkness? Don’t ask. Don’t tell.

[17th Miss Regt]

Speculation here, but here is my guess. The instrument package had an accelerometer tied to self destruct mechanisms on all critical portions of the package. Once the desired information is downloaded the balloon is sent a command arming the self destruct devices. If the accelerometer then measures too great a downward speed, the self destruct charges are detonated. The important parts of the package are destroyed and security is maintained.

So it might not matter where it was brought down. We may just recover some junk.

[Blue Highway]

Maybe Mr. 10% will have Hunters laptop to be shot down for the same reason to wipe out the evidence.