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News Articles: balloon

Hundreds of balloons are being launched into the path of the eclipse as part of a program to educate students.

Hundreds of balloons go airborne to witness the eclipse from the edge of space

A NASA-backed program to launch research balloons is designed to study the atmosphere while training students.

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By:
  • Geoff Brumfiel
A U.S. Air Force pilot looked down at the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon as it hovered over the Central Continental United States on Feb. 3. The pair was flying over Bellflower, Mo.

This selfie above China's balloon was taken over Missouri. Here's how we know that

The photo from aboard the Air Force's legendary U-2 spy plane shows the Chinese balloon. But where, exactly, was it taken? It's actually possible to answer that question using clues from the image.

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By:
  • Geoff Brumfiel
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.

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

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

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By:
  • Geoff Brumfiel
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., speaks to reporters after the Senate classified briefing on the three unidentified objects shot down by the U.S. military over Alaska, Canada and Lake Huron, in the Capitol on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

Senators downplay threats from unidentified objects, but call for more information

Many Democrats defended the Biden administration's cautious approach. But lawmakers of both parties urged the president to address the nation.

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By:
  • Lexie Schapitl and
  • Deirdre Walsh
The Chinese balloon became the subject of a sketch in the most recent episode of <em>Saturday Night Live</em> on Feb. 4.

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

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

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By:
  • Giulia Heyward
The suspected Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast in Surfside Beach, S.C., on Saturday.

The U.S. has downed a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina

The suspected Chinese spy balloon was noticed in Montana and slowly crossed the U.S. China expressed its "strong dissatisfaction and protest" over the downing.

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By:
  • Giulia Heyward and
  • Jenna McLaughlin