WASHINGTON — The high-altitude balloon now floating at 60,000 feet over the continental U.S. is part of a broader Chinese spying program that’s seen many such devices sent over the nation, including some during the Trump administration, according to U.S. officials.
People familiar with the matter believe the balloon is maneuverable — because they’ve detected it changing course — and anticipate it will likely remain in U.S. airspace for several more days. Nonetheless, they’ve decided not to try to shoot it down for now, arguing that the risk to the public of falling debris is too high as its payload is the size of several buses.
They flatly dismiss China’s claim that it’s a weather-monitoring vehicle given its size, previous Chinese espionage activity in the same vein, and private acknowledgment from Chinese officials of its true nature.
