U.S. assessing suspected China spy balloon

A suspected Chinese surveillance balloon shot down off the U.S. coast was comparable to a 20-storey building and carrying a payload similar in size to a commercial plane, U.S. officials say


FEATURES OF HIGH-ALTITUDE SURVEILLANCE BALLOON

Pressure envelope
Thin material likely filled with helium, allowing balloon to float with wind

Ballonet
Lower section can be filled with outside air, causing balloon to grow heavier and sink

Solar panels
Power instruments and propulsion system

LIGHTER-THAN-AIR GAS
OUTSIDE AIR

Altitude
Balloon typically operates at 24-37km (80,000- 120,000ft), well above where commercial air traffic flies

Instruments
Could include high-resolution cameras, radar, sensors and communications equipment


SIZE COMPARISON
F-22 fighter jet 
19m

China balloon
60m

Statue of Liberty
93m


U.S. says China balloon able to loiter over specific areas

Craft equipped with propellers and rudder, allowing it to speed up, slow down and turn

Balloon’s payload similar in size to regional airliner and weighs about 900kg

Remnants of object being recovered from 11km of ocean off South Carolina. U.S. working to determine if debris includes potentially dangerous materials


Sources: BBC, Reuters, Washington Post
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