U.S. tracking Chinese spy balloon

The U.S. is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that has been spotted flying over sensitive sites


Official sightings
Estimated trajectory
CHINA
Aleutian Islands (Alaska)
U.S.
CANADA

2,000km 1,250 miles


Feb 1, Billings, Montana: Balloon spotted over city, near one of three nuclear missile silo fields in country at Malmstrom Air Force Base

Tracking: F-22 jets mobilised, but Pentagon advises against shooting balloon for fear debris could pose safety threat


35km
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

Mount Everest 8,848m

SR-71
Highest flying manned aircraft: 25,900m

Commercial aircraft: 12,000m  


High-altitude surveillance balloon

Typically operates at 24-37km (80,000-120,000ft), well above commercial air traffic

Spying equipment may include camera, radar. May be solar powered

Can be guided to target area by changing altitudes to catch different wind currents

Widely used by U.S. and Soviet Union during Cold War as low-cost intelligence gathering method

Several spy balloons have recently flown over U.S., but this balloon appears to be lingering longer
 

Sources: U.S. Department of Defense, Reuters 
Picture: Chase Doak via Newscom 
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