[NorthMountain]

1) Sidewinder had an inert warhead.

2) Sidewinder hit the balloon, not the payload.

Still, a long drop.

[Yo-Yo]

1) Sidewinder had an inert warhead.

False.

2) Sidewinder hit the balloon, not the payload.

Again, false.

[redcatcherb412]

Sidewinder hit the balloon, not the payload.

Unless the videos are edited, the grey explosion puff on video below the envelope appears to be a hit on the dangling payload since it had a radar cross section that the envelope didn't, maybe.

Shootdown vid closeup

[ByteMercenary]

Both of your bullet points are disputed in many other sources around the net. What source do you have to support your points? Just askin’ ...

IMO Xi called Xiden and asked that the payload be destroyed, something Xi would do if Xi knew the payload was an espionage unit and fully expected that the payload would not be returned to China. Mr Cabbage-head in the White House would be only happy to oblige.

[Yo-Yo]