The Pentagon said a high-altitude balloon floating over the western US at 43,000-45,000 feet was just a hobby balloon, not another Chinese spy balloon.
NORAD jets had tracked the non-maneuverable Mylar balloon carrying a small box and deemed it no threat.
“NORAD will continue to track and monitor the balloon,” a defense official stated. “The FAA also determined the balloon posed no hazard to flight safety. NORAD remains in close coordination with the FAA to ensure flight safety.”
This comes over a year after the Air Force shot down a Chinese spy balloon off South Carolina at 58,000 feet after it crossed the US for days.
The Biden administration had planned not to inform the public or Congress about that balloon, which collected intelligence on US military sites, until it was reported and caused an outcry, with officials privately downplaying it as not a serious national security threat.
NORAD continues tracking hobby balloons to ensure flight safety.
