China “spy balloons” over five continents 

Suspected spy balloons sighted at strategic locations in the last five years


1 2019: Hawaii, Texas, Florida 
2 2019-21: California, Virginia 
3 2019: Satsumasendai, Japan 
4 2020: Sendai, Japan
5 2021: Hachinohe, Japan and Taiwan, two more sightings since
6 2022 Jan: India’s strategic Andaman and Nicobar Islands
7 2022 Jun: Hawaii
8 2022 Dec: Philippines
9 2023 Jan: Alaska-South Carolina
10 2023 Feb: Costa Rica, Colombia 


Europe: Unspecified sighting

Guam: U.S. military base

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Surveillance balloons believed to be operating out of Hainan


Xinjiang
Suspected construction hangar built 2015

Beijing
Hainan
Vietnam

India
Himalayan territory disputed with China

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LIGHTER-THAN-AIR GAS
OUTSIDE AIR

Pressure envelope: Filled with helium, allowing balloon to float with wind

Ballonet: Lower section can be filled with outside, heavier air, causing balloon to change altitude to ride different currents toward specific target 

Solar panels: To power instruments and propulsion – propellers, rudder

Instruments: Reconnaissance, communications equipment

Altitude: Operates at 24,000-37,000m, well above commercial air traffic, but below ionosphere, eliminating significant source of interference

Payload: Size of regional airliner, about 900kg


Sources: BBC, Reuters, Washington Post 
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