The Air Force popped the balloon. The payload dropped into the ocean and was picked up by the Navy. The same way we retrieve astronaut capsules. You are assuming there is nothing of value. How do you know that? Are you related to Joe Biden?
No, I watched the damn video of the thing being hit by a Sidewinder then fall 65,000 feet.
Did you see a nice parachute deploy like an astronaut capsule, Hunter?