Justice101 wrote:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1734200/spy-balloons-china-space-surveillance-drones-satellites-history
Excerpt:
Another reason for balloons is that they are considerably easier and cheaper to deploy than satellites — which require expensive rocket launches — or drones.
And while they may not offer the reliability of coverage of a satellite, they move much more slowly, affording them more time to scan the areas which they overfly.
I believe you just wasted an excellent explanation.