The mind - bowl over drama of aerial aim recently spot in North American air space continues to unfold , as the US reclaim the first Chinese balloon it shot down off the glide of South Carolina on Saturday February 4 . Meanwhile , the Pentagon has also found endeavor to recover and analyze the other three object late shoot down over the US and Canada .
“ Crews have been able-bodied to go back significant debris from the site , include all of the priority sensor and electronics pieces identified as well as orotund segment of the anatomical structure ” , the US Northern Commandreportedlysaid in a statement regarding the first object sprout down nearSouth Carolina .
The high - ALT balloon was substantive in size when inflated , valuate " 200 feet [ 60 meters ] tall with a jetliner size payload , " Assistant Secretary of Defense Melissa Daltontold senatorsduring a hearing last week .
Another picture of the aerial object shot down off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. Image credit: US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tyler Thompson
Senior State Department official note that the junk sport " multiple feeler " that were " likely capable of collecting and geo - locating communication theory . "
The US maintains that this first object to be pip down was a “ spy balloon go to the People ’s Republic of China . ” They have suggested that the aim did not pose a physical threat to the US , but was likely “ for intelligence collection that ’s plug into to the People ’s Liberation Army . ”
They have sincestatedthey believe Chinese spy balloons are most likely go around in airspace globally . Beijing deny this , arguing that the ballon was simply a atmospheric condition - tracking instrumental role that was blown off course .
After the first balloon was downed on February 4 , three more aeriform object have been shoot down after enter North American air space . A flying target report as a type of dirigible was bring down over the distant northern coast of Alaska on February 10 , while a small balloon was shot down over Canada ’s Yukon on February 11 , Prime Minister Justin Trudeauconfirmed .
On Sunday February 12,a fourth ethereal objectwas fritter away down by an air - to - air missile launched by F-16 fighter jets over Michigan ’s Lake Huron .
While the first spy balloon is now in the helping hand of US authorities , it sounds like they ’re hold trouble locating the other three .
“ The target in Alaska and Canada are in somewhat remote terrain – ice , wilderness , all of that – making it difficult to find them in wintertime weather . And the object over Lake Huron now lies in what is believably very thick piss , ” John Kirby , a retired rearward admiral in the United States Navy attend as Coordinator for Strategic Communications , told apress conferenceon February 13 .
sooner on Monday , there was wild speculation after US authorities refuse to rule out that the fourth objective over Lake Huron was an alien . Speaking at a press group discussion , General Glen VanHerck , head of NORAD and US Northern Command , was expect whether there was any chance the aircraft was anextraterrestrial . He replied : “ I have n’t rule out anything at this point , ” according to theAssociated Press .
The White House has since said there ’s no indication the late squelcher involve aliens .
Press Secretary Karine Jean - Pierre laugh off the proposition at the press conference on February 13 , saying : " I know there have been questions and concerns about this , but there is no – again , no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity – [ laugh ] – with these late takedowns . Again , there is no indication of extraterrestrial or [ extra]terrestrial action with these recent squelcher . "
