Bizarre twist in Chinese spy balloon saga as its contents are finally revealed

A bizarre twist in the Chinese spy balloon saga has finally revealed the contents of the mystery floating surveillance device.

A balloon discovered by investigators, which was floating above the US and later shot down over the Atlantic Ocean near South Carolina on February 4, 2023, was secretly equipped with technology made in the US.

The balloon contained this technology that could potentially have been used by Beijing to spy on Americans, according to two sources familiar with the classified investigation speaking exclusively to Newsweek.

Upon inspection by military analysts, the balloon was found to be filled with American-manufactured satellite communication modules and advanced sensors sourced from a minimum of five US companies, as detailed by the report.

A Chinese patent uncovered during the investigation also alarmingly showed that Beijing had already mapped out exactly how to use American satellite technology to control these spy balloons and harvest sensitive data.

The necessary equipment was reportedly easily available for purchase online.

Last February, the Pentagon determined the high-altitude balloon found and intercepted by the US Military was ‘likely’ a ‘hobby balloon.’

In a statement, NORAD, along with the Federal Aviation Administration, said at the time that the mystery balloon was monitored from ground radars ‘until it left US airspace overnight.’

The US Military intercepted a balloon that was found hovering over Utah on Friday. The Pentagon said that it was not a threat. Pictured: File photo of China spy balloon over US in 2023

The US Military intercepted a balloon that was found hovering over Utah on Friday. The Pentagon said that it was not a threat. Pictured: File photo of China spy balloon over US in 2023

A similar balloon was found hovering over the US and was eventually shot down off the coast of South Carolina on Feb 4, 2023

A similar balloon was found hovering over the US and was eventually shot down off the coast of South Carolina on Feb 4, 2023

‘The balloon was intercepted by NORAD fighters over Utah, who determined it was not maneuverable and did not present a threat to national security,’ NORAD said.

‘The FAA also determined the balloon posed no hazard to flight safety. NORAD remains in close coordination with the FAA to ensure flight safety.’

That balloon entered US airspace over Alaska in January and eventually flew over a US military base in Montana before it was shot down by an F-22 Raptor off the coast of South Carolina.

In June, the Pentagon said it had ‘intelligence collection capabilities,’ but US officials could not confirm if China collected information in real-time.

The discovery then provoked Beijing, which vowed countermeasures, adding yet another strain to a relationship already battered by trade practices, tariffs, Taiwan, human rights, and China’s ties with Russia before President Vladimir Putin launched his Ukraine invasion.

Republicans criticized Former President Joe Biden for not having it downed sooner.

The incident also prompted a period when the military shot down other unidentified objects.

The earlier incident forced Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a planned trip to China while criticizing it as an ‘irresponsible act.’

Last June, Biden said he didn’t think ‘the leadership knew where it was and knew what was in it and knew what was going on,’ calling it ‘more embarrassing than it was intentional.’

Last year's incident brought forth information on a series of sightings

Last year’s incident brought forth information on a series of sightings

Navy sailors recovered parts of the spy balloon after a US jet shot it down off the coast of South Carolina last year

Navy sailors recovered parts of the spy balloon after a US jet shot it down off the coast of South Carolina last year

In November, President Joe Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco as the two has high-stakes conversations about the US-China relationship

In November, President Joe Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco as the two has high-stakes conversations about the US-China relationship

China claimed the balloon was being used for weather-related issues, even though US intelligence agencies concluded that it was used for spying.

And last November, Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco as the two has high-stakes conversations about the US-China relationship.

The two leaders met for four hours at a historic home outside of San Francisco. 

Their encounter began with a warm double-clasped handshake, and a declaration by Xi that the world is ‘big enough’ for both countries, despite years of rising rhetoric and provocations.

‘The China-US relationship has never been smooth sailing and always faces problems of one kind or another ,’ Xi said through a translator as he met Biden at the time. 

‘Yet it has kept moving forward amidst twists and turns. For China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option. It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other, and conflict and confrontation has terrible consequences for both sides. Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed.’

You May Also Like
2025: Who is the new pope? Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 1st American from Chicago, elected as Catholic Church leader

“Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago elected as the first American Pope in 2025”

CHICAGO (WLS) — Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has…
Bryan Kohberger hearing today: The latest pretrial developments in Idaho college murders case

Bryan Kohberger’s court appearance today: New updates before trial in Idaho university murder case

MOSCOW, Idaho — A judge has ruled that prosecutors can maintain a…
Funeral to be held Thursday in Kankakee for former Illinois Governor George Ryan, who died at age 91 last week

Former Illinois Governor George Ryan, who passed away last week at age 91, to be laid to rest in Kankakee on Thursday

KANKAKEE, Ill. (WLS) — A funeral will be held Thursday for the…
'Dio benedica il Papa', other well wishes for the new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, in Italian

“Blessings for the Pope: Good Wishes for the New Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV in Italian”

<!–> White smoke signals new pope has been chosen ‘Outnumbered’ panelists react…
Jeffrey Rupnow, father of 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who killed 2 at Madison, Wisconsin religious school, faces felony charges

Father of Teen Accused of Madison Religious School Shooting Charged with Felonies

In Madison, Wisconsin, prosecutors recently pressed charges against a father whose teenage…
Thursday Morning Minute: The Two Faces of Liz

Understanding Liz: Exploring Different Sides

TOP O’ THE MORNIN’ Red-Hot at RedState  Some individuals are eager to…
Shock reason top country star SNUBBED ACMs despite seven nominations

Surprising Reason Why Famous Country Singer Skipped ACM Awards Despite Being Nominated Seven Times

The country music world gathered in Texas to celebrate at the Academy…
What Time Is ‘9-1-1’ On Tonight? How To Watch ‘9-1-1’ Season 8, Episode 17 Live On ABC And Online

When does ‘9-1-1’ air tonight and how can you watch season 8, episode 17 live on ABC and online?

It’s only been a week since Bobby Nash’s funeral, but judging from…
Crisis for Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas? Friends say Hollywood's worst-kept secret has created intimate impasse in love affair

Trouble in Paradise for Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas? Friends reveal that the rumored romantic relationship is facing a major obstacle.

Tom Cruise, Hollywood’s renowned actor at 62, has recently been romantically linked…
Cop killer dies after ‘botched’ firing squad execution; witness in the room reveals how it happened

Witness in room shares details of failed firing squad execution resulting in death of murderer

An inmate put to death last month in South Carolina’s second firing…
Who is Lorna on ‘9-1-1’? Season 8, Episode 17’s Callback Explained

Explaining the Callback of Lorna on ‘9-1-1’ in Season 8, Episode 17

In the recent episode of Season 8, Episode 17 of “9-1-1,” the…
Harvey Weinstein trial: Ex-model takes the stand, marking first time she has testified

Testimony by Ex-model in Harvey Weinstein trial for the first time

In New York, during Harvey Weinstein’s first sexual assault trial in 2020,…