Balloon intercepted over US likely related to a ‘hobby’: Officials

A high-altitude balloon captured earlier this week flying over the United States is likely a “hobby balloon,” officials said Saturday.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said the balloon, which flew at an altitude of more than 40,000 feet over Utah, posed no safety threat. statement to multiple outlets.

“After yesterday’s fighter jet interception, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), monitored the likely hobby balloon using ground radar until it left U.S. airspace,” the statement said.

The U.S. military confirmed Friday that it was tracking the balloon with help from the FAA. NORAD jets intercepted the balloon, determining it was “uncontrollable and did not pose a threat to national security.”

The balloon was about 50 feet tall and carried a 2-foot cube. outlet report.

The incident occurred more than a year after a Chinese reconnaissance balloon flew over the United States and was later shot down by a U.S. fighter jet over the coast of South Carolina.
Washington pointed to evidence claiming the balloons were equipped with antennas and other surveillance equipment and were used for reconnaissance.

China has also flown balloons over Taiwan and other countries, although the Chinese government has denied the allegations.

Last year’s balloon incident prompted NORAD to tweak its radar to watch for more potential threats in its airspace.