A small balloon, described as approximately 50 feet tall with a payload resembling a two-foot cube, was intercepted by fighter aircraft over Utah on Friday morning. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported that the balloon, flying at an altitude of 43,000 to 45,000 feet, has been deemed non-threatening to national security and is allowed to continue its flight over the United States.
According to a U.S. official, the content of the payload remains unknown. In a joint effort with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), NORAD detected the balloon and carried out the interception over Utah. The statement released by NORAD emphasized that the balloon was determined to be non-maneuverable and did not pose a risk to national security.
“NORAD will continue to track and monitor the balloon,” the statement assured. The FAA also concluded that the balloon presented no hazard to flight safety, and both agencies remain in close coordination to ensure ongoing flight safety.
It is noteworthy that a previous incident involving a nearly 200-foot-tall balloon, equipped with a payload comparable to the length of three school buses and intelligence sensors, had led to tensions between the United States and China. However, relations have since improved. Following that incident, NORAD adjusted its sensor systems to enhance the detection of high-altitude balloons traversing the United States and Canada. This adjustment resulted in the interception of smaller balloons over various regions, including Alaska, Canada’s Yukon Territory, and Lake Huron.
