U.S. officials and military personnel have confirmed tracking a small, high-altitude balloon drifting across the country, emphasizing that it poses no threat to national security. CBS News initially reported the military’s surveillance of the balloon’s movements across the Western U.S. on Friday.
According to NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), responsible for air defense over the U.S. and Canada, the balloon was detected floating between 43,000 and 45,000 feet. This prompted NORAD to dispatch aircraft for further investigation. However, after intercepting the balloon over Utah, NORAD fighters determined it to be non-maneuverable and not a security risk.
“The balloon was intercepted by NORAD fighters over Utah, who determined it was not maneuverable and did not present a threat to national security. NORAD will continue to track and monitor the balloon,” stated NORAD. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the balloon posed no hazard to flight safety.
Reportedly, the balloon is expected to be over Georgia by Friday night. Described as being made of Mylar with a small cube-shaped box hanging beneath it, about two feet long on each side, its origins and purpose remain unknown.
This incident follows tensions between the U.S. and China last year when a Chinese balloon carrying advanced surveillance equipment traversed the continental U.S. for several days. The Chinese foreign ministry asserted that it was collecting weather data but was forced off course by high winds. The U.S. military eventually downed the balloon off the coast of South Carolina.
President Biden faced criticism over the handling of the situation, as Republicans questioned the delay in taking action against the balloon. Despite the diplomatic fallout, Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s subsequent trip to Beijing aimed to alleviate tensions between the two countries, including addressing concerns over the spy balloon and China’s military activities in the South China Sea.
Key Points:
- U.S. military aircraft monitors an unidentified high-altitude balloon in the Western U.S.
- NORAD confirms the detection of balloon floating at 43,000-45,000 feet.
- Balloon intercepted over Utah, deemed non-threatening to national security.
- FAA also determines balloons poses no flight safety hazard.
- The balloon was reportedly made of Mylar, with a cube-shaped box hanging below.
- The origin and purpose of the balloon remain unknown.
- Incident reminiscent of tensions sparked by Chinese spy balloon in 2023.
- Biden administration faced criticism over handling of previous balloon incident.
- Pentagon concludes recent objects shot down were unrelated to Chinese espionage.
- Balloon saga contributes to U.S.-China diplomatic tensions.
