Suspected Spy Balloon Shot Down by the US

What is a spy balloon?

Spy balloons or surveillance balloons are hot air balloons fitted with cameras and other gadgets. They can float in the air for long periods of time, taking images and collecting data about the land below.

These balloons are used to monitor things at a close range and can take sharper images than satellites. They can also be fitted with equipment that lets someone control where they go. Spy balloons can listen in on conversations. All of this can help those who use such balloons to spy on other people or countries.

Recently, a suspected spy balloon was discovered floating over the United States of America (USA).

Whoa! Who was behind the suspected spy balloon?

The US military was keeping an eye on a suspected Chinese spy balloon floating over the country's northern areas. On 1st February 2023, it was spotted over Billings, Montana, USA. Later, China said that it was theirs and that it was a normal balloon used for research.

They explained that strong winds blew it off course and apologised for the incident. But this is when things started to get interesting. The US military said that the balloon later began flying eastward over the central US. This showed that the balloon was being controlled, opposite to what China said.

The suspected balloon was most likely gathering information on US communication and radar systems. Experts also believed that the balloon could have been used to spy on military locations in Montana and neighbouring states.

How did the United States react to it?

On 5th February 2023, the balloon was shot down by a missile fired from a fighter plane. The operation was planned to ensure that all debris fell into the sea. Ships were sent to collect as much debris as possible.

US President Joe Biden had earlier decided against shooting down the balloon in Montana as the debris might have hurt citizens.

What was China’s reaction to the balloon being shot down?

China was angry and criticised the US for using force to destroy the balloon. They have said that they will take the necessary actions against it. China also said that the US action was an overreaction.