Ella Aikens 23’ Business and Ad Manager
Between late February and early January, Chinese surveillance balloons were spotted flying over the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, and Columbia. The first balloon was seen on Jan. 28 around Alaska and was later shot down on Feb. 4 off the coast of South Carolina by the U.S. Air Force.
Debris from the wreckage was recovered and sent to the FBI for analysis. The American and Canadian governments announced in a press release that the balloons were being used for surveillance purposes, while the Chinese government claims it was a civilian airship that was blown off course.
The U.S. government stated the balloon was capable of geolocating electronic communications and carried intelligence surveillance equipment.
Similar Chinese balloons have been spotted flying over 40 nations, and American officials have announced that the balloons that were launched by China were meant for the island of Hainan. The balloon’s original destinations were Guam and Hawaii but prevailing winds forced them off track into North America.
In the month of February, three more high altitude objects were spotted flying over Northern Alaska, Yukon, and Lake Huron, but they were all shot down immediately. The U.S. later confirmed these objects had no connections to China’s government.
Lyon Life 