Albuquerque, New Mexico – A high-altitude balloon intercepted by fighter aircraft over Utah on Friday was deemed a “likely hobby balloon” and has exited United States airspace, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) on Saturday.
The balloon, described as “small,” was allowed to continue its flight above the U.S. after being intercepted at an altitude of 43,000 to 45,000 feet on Friday morning. NORAD stated that after assessing the situation, it was determined that the balloon did not pose a national security threat.
Following the fighter intercepts on Friday, NORAD, in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, tracked the balloon through ground radars until it left U.S. airspace overnight, as stated in a Saturday release.
While NORAD does not possess further information regarding the balloon, a U.S. official stated that the balloon measures 50 feet in height and carries a payload similar in size to a two-foot cube. The official could not confirm the contents of the payload.
NORAD confirmed that the intercepted balloon over Utah was deemed non-maneuverable and posed no threat to national security or flight safety. This development follows a previous incident involving a Chinese spy balloon tracked across the U.S. and shot down by U.S. fighters over U.S. territorial waters.
To enhance detection capabilities of high-altitude balloons flying over the U.S. and Canada, NORAD has adjusted its sensors following previous incidents and has since managed the interception of smaller balloons in various regions.