The balloon carried technology from at least five American companies. The detailed analysis runs to 75 pages.
The Chinese spy balloon that flew over the United States in 2023 was equipped with American technology. This is reported by Newsweek, citing sources familiar with the technical analysis of the contents of the shot-down bullet.
The detailed analysis was conducted by the National Air and Space Intelligence Center in Ohio and runs to 75 pages.
According to the publication, experts have determined that the balloon was equipped with American-made satellite communication modules and sophisticated sensors from at least five different American companies, which allowed them to take photos and collect confidential information, as well as from at least one Swiss company.
Among them, for example, is a short-pulse message module called Iridium 9602, created by a global satellite communications provider based in McLean, Virginia. This module can be purchased online for less than $ 150 and is not prohibited for export. Chinese equipment would not be able to provide complete satellite coverage of the United States. Also, according to sources, the balloon identified parts from American companies Texas Instruments, Omega Engineering, Amphenol All Sensors Corporation and onsemi.
In addition, the technical filling of the balloon included an inexpensive thermal box made of foam plastic, which can be bought at any gas station for storing food on the road. The sealed lightweight box contained hard drives for storing information.
The balloon also had empty compartments. It is assumed that they were intended for gliders that could be launched to collect more detailed data.
In April 2023, American officials confirmed that a Chinese spy balloon could collect real-time intelligence from several secret American military sites.