The parts of the balloon are now scattered in the ocean, over a stretch that is about eleven kilometers long and about fifteen kilometers deep.
Sensors and photo equipment
A US government official anonymously informed the Bloomberg news agency that the US government expects to find sensors and equipment that can take very detailed pictures.
Congress is also said to have questioned whether the balloon’s payload contained technology made by the US and its allies.
Amerika vs. China
The balloon, which US media said was the size of three busses, initially appeared over the US state of Montana as a mysterious white dot. After inspection with, among other things, F-22 aircraft, the Americans quickly concluded that it was espionage.
According to China, the balloon was a scientific research airship that had gone off course due to force majeure.
‘Obvious overreaction’
Beijing calls the downing of the balloon “an obvious overreaction” in violation of international practices. The US would not have informed China in advance that they would shoot down the balloon. This was not discussed until after this had already happened.
Divers and crane workers are expected to surface the balloon and its cargo in the coming days.
Bringing down the balloon
Also watch the video below, which shows how the balloon is brought down:
