Status: 02/07/2023 01:16 am
Around 61 meters high and probably as heavy as a small airliner: the US military has published details of the balloon that was shot down. In addition, the government made it clear that it did not want any further deterioration in relations with China.
After the suspected Chinese spy balloon was shot down over the Atlantic, the US military provided initial information about the flying object. The balloon was about 200 feet tall and probably weighed as much as a small airliner, said US Northern Command commander Glen VanHerck.
It was also only shot above the water because it was feared that glass from solar panels or potentially dangerous material, for example from batteries, could have fallen down. It was also expected that explosives could have detonated.
Debris salvage in progress
The debris is currently being salvaged off the coast of South Carolina. They are trying “to recover as much of the Chinese high-altitude balloon as possible, primarily for the safety of people in the region, but also to evaluate it and use it in any way we can,” VanHerck said.
The naval survey ship “Pathfinder” uses sonar technology, among other things, to measure the debris field. The entire field has an approximate size of 1500 by 1500 meters. Due to the swell, the work under water was initially made more difficult. The operation takes place in around 15 meters of water, said VanHerck.
When asked about plans to return the recovered material to China, National Security Council communications director John Kirby said: “I am not aware of any such intention or any plans to return it.”
USA: Tensions with China should not become a conflict
At the same time, Kirby made it clear that the US had no interest in a further deterioration in relations with China: “There is no reason for the tensions in our bilateral relations to grow into some kind of conflict.” They acted in accordance with international law to launch the balloon over US territory. The US would have defended their airspace and their country.
China had criticized the launch of the balloon by the United States on Saturday as an “obvious overreaction” that violated the spirit of international law. China reserves the right to respond as necessary, Beijing said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled his trip to Beijing after the balloons appeared over the Northwest of the United States last week.