Chinese spy balloon enters US airspace: What we know

[Willy]

The U.S. has detected a Chinese balloon craft currently flying over the United States, potentially sparking a major diplomatic incident ahead of a now-canceled visit by Secretary of State Blinken to Beijing.

Here is what we know so far:

When was it detected?

The Pentagon announced on Thursday that it had detected the craft flying over the continental U.S. A State Department official said Friday that once it was detected the government acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information. "The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now," 

"The U.S. government including Norad, continues to track and monitor it closely. The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground," the Pentagon said on Thursday.

A well-placed senior U.S. official told Fox News that the government has been tracking the balloon for "some time" and said it entered U.S. airspace a "couple of days ago." It is currently over the state of Montana.

When I heard this news I immediately got out my space age telephoto lens and took a picture of the balloon. To my surprise the balloon spun around and I was able to capture the side noone else could see. I am posting it below for all to view.

The message may be hard to read so I am reposting it below. 

船上的 COVID 2023 压力

[XLFD]

I don't read Chinese characters all that well, that's why I'm interested on the other side of the balloon, which is totally in English and shows the balloon isn't here for espionage purposes at all, it's a romantic gesture dedicated to California Congressman Swalwell from a paramour.

If you still weren't sure that our nation's leadership is a puppet of the Chinese Communist Party, this episode of inaction should.  Take it down already!.

[Dave]

Since this post went up, we've had 3 more objects shot down, including one that passed over Michigan before meeting it's end over Lake Huron. The government hasn't been totally forthcoming as to what these objects are other than to rule out that they were UFOs after initially being vague about what the objects were. The bits and pieces I've heard is that these object flew much lower and that was part of the reason why they didn't wait to shoot them down as they were at altitudes that aircraft fly in and posed a danger should a plane hit one of the objects. Hopefully the government will be forthcoming as to what these new objects were once they are able to recover whatever is left of each object.

[Willy]

The balloon that took a dive into Lake Huron has been recovered. See below.