A high-altitude balloon intercepted over the United States on Friday afternoon, initially of unknown origin and purpose, has been identified by the Pentagon as likely a hobbyist craft. This determination comes a year after a Chinese spy balloon incident provoked a diplomatic crisis. The balloon, spotted over Utah by the US Military, raised concerns due to its resemblance to the previously intercepted foreign spy balloon. However, officials, including those from the North American Aerospace Defense Command, confirmed that the balloon had left American airspace and was not sent by a foreign adversary. The incident led to discussions about airspace security, with Rep. Sherrill mentioning the BLIPS Act, aimed at documenting unmanned balloons in US airspace to avoid similar situations.
UPDATE: The mysterious balloon spotted over Utah on Friday eventually left US airspace that night. Authorities could not say where the balloon was spotted, but believe it was a "hobby balloon." https://t.co/1XzlLCDxpw
DroneUp strongly supports the recently introduced, Fair Qualifications for Pilots Act. The bipartisan legislation addresses a hindrance for drone operators to hire pilots who may have medical conditions impeding them to pilot a manned aircraft but pose no issue piloting a drone.
Following up on the high-altitude balloon that moved across Colorado on Friday: Airmen of CO’s Air National Guard 140th wing based at Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora scrambled and intercepted the balloon. After determining that it was not a threat to national security or…
Thanks to fast action by folks on the ground and pilots in the air, we know this isn’t a threat. But I wrote the BLIPS Act to avoid situations like this — unmanned balloons in US airspace need to be documented. https://t.co/CAVBwumu66
Balloon floating over US was hobbyist craft, DOD confirms https://t.co/i9EU3yMf0K https://t.co/i9EU3yMf0K
Pentagon determines 'likely' origin for high-altitude balloon intercepted by US Military over Utah https://t.co/aBhhF2px2w https://t.co/hIbjYXFntN
Pentagon determines 'likely' origin for high-altitude balloon intercepted by US Military over Utah - one year after Chinese spy balloon provoked diplomatic crisis https://t.co/sSpTYNp1xu https://t.co/gYZSKQoOVt
Balloon intercepted over US likely related to a "hobby": Officials https://t.co/0Df7C8yNhm
Pentagon says new high altitude balloon intercepted over US 'likely hobby' craft year after China controversy https://t.co/NqoUvyp7YC
A high-altitude balloon of unknown origin and purpose was spotted over the Western United States Friday afternoon. https://t.co/MmmA5VimXk
The small, high-altitude hobbyist balloon being tracked by the U.S. has left American airspace, the North American Aerospace Defense Command told CBS News. https://t.co/O7PFfmyqHp
The most recent balloon was not sent by a foreign adversary, but it raised concerns because it was similar to the one shot down last year, according to officials. https://t.co/teBNLI17ct
Balloon intercepted over US likely related to a ‘hobby’: Officials https://t.co/rbMqCla7vz