While the taken-down Chinese spy balloon has made headlines recently, CNN reports that this was not the first instance of Chinese spy balloons hovering over America. In fact, there were balloons that flew over the United States back when Trump was still in his office. However, they remained undetected only until Biden proceeded with his rule.
Though such spy balloons may not seem as plain and interesting as a camera buttonhole, there are chances that this floating equipment could be used even more in the future.
That being said, it is important for the awareness gap regarding this floating equipment to be bridged.
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Spy Balloons: What Are They?
According to The Guardian, these modern-day spy balloons are loaded with spying tools, such as a camera, that are situated beneath a balloon that moves along a particular area. Other equipment linked to the balloon could also be solar powered.
These balloons usually move around 24,000 to 37,000 meters high. Such a level exceeds traditional air crafts that typically do not go above 12,000 meters.
Spy Balloons Mark the End of the Satellite Reign
They have also been seen to take over satellites to some extent. John Blaxland, a professor at the Australian National University who teaches international security and intelligence studies, says that satellites have been the answer in the past decades.
However, with the development of kinetic weapons and lasers that could aim at satellites, interest in balloons has resurged. While such spy balloons do not level with satellites in terms of consistent surveillance, they are cheaper to launch and easier to catch.
Unlike balloons, satellites need to be launched via specialized launcher, which costs hefty bucks.
Other than this, balloons can also monitor terrain from an altitude that is lower compared to satellites. Moreover, due to their comparatively slower movement, they also spend longer periods observing a particular area.
Awareness Gap: Undetected Chinese Spy Balloons Hovering Over the US
A recently spotted Chinese spy balloon, which was also taken down not long after, has alerted the public to the presence of such floating equipment. However, there were also reportedly suspected Chinese spy balloons during the term of President Trump. These spy balloons just remained undetected until recently.
According to the New York Times, Commander General Glen D. VanHerck, who leads the Northern Command of the Pentagon, says that failing to trace such threats reveals an awareness gap.
Several US officials stated that one possible reason for this gap is that prior incursions were dubbed as "unidentified aerial phenomena." As the Pentagon and other intelligence organizations heightened their endeavors to explain these incidents, some events were classified as Chinese spy balloons.
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