China balloon : NPR

The Chinese balloon saga could be part of a new space race closer to Earth

A fighter jet flies near a large balloon drifting above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina near Myrtle Beach, Feb. 4. Minutes later, the balloon was struck by a missile from an F-22 fighter jet, ending its weeklong traverse over the United States. China said the balloon was a weather research vessel blown off course, a claim rejected by U.S. officials. Chad Fish/AP hide caption

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Chad Fish/AP

Asia

The Chinese balloon saga could be part of a new space race closer to Earth

March 3, 2023 • China has put new focus on airships hovering in a part of the sky just before outer space. Although Beijing says they're scientific, analysts say the data helps the country develop advanced weapons.

The Chinese balloon saga could be part of a new space race closer to Earth

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Blinken meets with China's top diplomat in first meeting since balloon controversy

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi in New York City on Sept. 23, 2022. David Dee Delgado/POOL/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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David Dee Delgado/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

World

Blinken meets with China's top diplomat in first meeting since balloon controversy

February 18, 2023 • The meeting is the highest level of contact between the two nations since the discovery of a Chinese balloon in U.S. airspace at the beginning of this month.

Militaries have sought to use spy balloons for centuries. The real enemy is the wind

The Pentagon's multi-billion-dollar program to develop advanced missile warning balloons is just one of many projects over the decades that has been sabotaged by a gusty breeze. Patrick Semansky/AP hide caption

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Patrick Semansky/AP

National Security

Militaries have sought to use spy balloons for centuries. The real enemy is the wind

February 17, 2023 • The U.S. government suspects that China's surveillance balloon may have blown off course. It wouldn't be the first time.

Militaries have sought to use spy balloons for centuries. The real enemy is the wind

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How a Chinese 'spy balloon' prompted the U.S. to scour the skies

A high altitude balloon floats over Billings, Mont., on Feb. 1. Larry Mayer/The Billings Gazette/via AP hide caption

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Larry Mayer/The Billings Gazette/via AP

World

How a Chinese 'spy balloon' prompted the U.S. to scour the skies

February 14, 2023 • The U.S. and China have traded fiery allegations of extensive aerial surveillance programs since the U.S. shot down a Chinese balloon on Feb. 4. Here's a look at what's happened so far.

China accuses U.S. of flying spy balloons into Chinese airspace more than 10 times

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin speaks at a press conference in Beijing on Jan. 11, 2023. Kyodo via Reuters hide caption

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Kyodo via Reuters

World

China accuses U.S. of flying spy balloons into Chinese airspace more than 10 times

February 13, 2023 • The accusations made by China on Monday have further ratcheted up tensions between the two countries amid mutual allegations of surveillance.

The Pentagon says China declined a phone call in response to the balloon's downing

China's Defence Minister Wei Fenghe speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on June 12, 2022 Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images

Asia

The Pentagon says China declined a phone call in response to the balloon's downing

February 7, 2023 • In a sign of continued tense relations, the U.S. says China declined the request for a phone call between top defense officials

Hours after its demise, the Chinese spy balloon was the star of the 'SNL' cold open

The Chinese balloon became the subject of a sketch in the most recent episode of Saturday Night Live on Feb. 4. Larry Mayer/AP hide caption

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Larry Mayer/AP

Television

Hours after its demise, the Chinese spy balloon was the star of the 'SNL' cold open

February 5, 2023 • Saturday Night Live kicked off its latest episode with an exclusive interview with the downed balloon, played by cast member Bowen Yang.