60-centimeter payload

Utah: US fighter jets intercept mysterious balloon

A small balloon over the US state of Utah has put air surveillance on alert. Fighter jets intercepted the balloon on Friday at an altitude of around 13 kilometers, as reported by CBS News, citing the North American Air Defense Command (Norad), which is responsible for the USA and Canada.

During the interception maneuver, it was ultimately determined that the balloon posed no threat to national security or air traffic. However, the flying object will continue to be monitored.

Memories of alleged spy balloon
A US official told CBS News that a cube-shaped box with an edge length of 60 centimetres was attached to the balloon. The mysterious balloon brings back memories in the USA: Just over a year ago, the US armed forces shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon over the US East Coast, publicly denouncing China's activities and causing diplomatic upsets.

Beijing vehemently denied that it was a spy balloon and claimed that the balloon was a stray weather balloon. The remains were recovered after being shot down by an F-22 Raptor fighter jet with an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile off the US coast of South Carolina and sent for investigation. In the end, the Pentagon declared that the balloon had not collected any secret information.