It is far smaller than a Chinese spy balloon that was shot down last year. Fighter jets from NORAD observed the balloon on Friday morning as it was drifting over Utah. The balloon is currently at a height between 43,000 and 45,000 feet, NORAD said, which would place it above most commercial aircraft. This balloon is significantly smaller than the Chinese spy balloon that traversed the United States early in 2023. The Chinese spy balloon also used US internet service providers to send short, periodic transmissions about its location and navigations back to China.

Source: ABC News February 23, 2024 23:58 UTC