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Chinese spy balloon shot down over U.S. after traversing North America
🇪🇪 Estonia /Conflict & Security

Chinese spy balloon shot down over U.S. after traversing North America

From Postimees · () Estonian

Translated from Estonian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A Chinese intelligence balloon that traversed the Pacific Ocean and entered U.S. airspace was shot down off the coast of South Carolina in February 2023.
  • The balloon, estimated to be 25-30 meters in diameter, flew over military installations in Montana and Nebraska at an altitude of 18 km before being intercepted by an F-22 fighter jet.
  • Historically, balloons have been used for various purposes, including meteorology and even as weapons, such as the Japanese Fu-Go balloon bombs during World War II.

A Chinese intelligence balloon's journey across North America ended dramatically in February 2023 when a U.S. F-22 fighter jet shot it down off the coast of South Carolina. The massive balloon, estimated to be 25-30 meters in diameter, had traversed the Pacific Ocean, entering U.S. airspace over Alaska and then drifting over military sites in Montana and Nebraska at an altitude of 18 kilometers.

The wind does not ask the balloon where it wants to go.

— AuthorOpening statement reflecting on the uncontrollable nature of wind and its effect on balloons.

This incident brought to mind historical uses of balloons, including meteorological research and even military applications. Japan's "Fu-Go" operation during World War II, which involved launching thousands of hydrogen-filled balloon bombs from Japan towards the U.S., serves as a stark reminder of the potential for airborne devices to cause disruption. While most of these Fu-Go balloons did not reach their targets due to Pacific storms, some did cause minor damage and casualties.

Air, papa, costs nothing!

— AuthorQuoting 'Pisuhänd' to contrast past perceptions of air's value with its current importance in defense.

The article also touches upon the discovery of jet streams by Japanese meteorologist Wasaburo Oishi in 1926, a finding initially overlooked due to its publication in Esperanto. The concept of "wind" is presented as a powerful, uncontrollable force, referencing an old Estonian saying that "the wind does not ask the balloon where it wants to go."

It drifted for almost two days (as commented in the media) over military objects in Montana and Nebraska at an altitude of 18 km, then turned towards the Atlantic Ocean.

— AuthorDescribing the Chinese spy balloon's movement over U.S. territory.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Postimees in Estonian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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