The FBI may soon be taking possession of a suspected spy balloon that was found off the Alaskan coast by a fishing vessel. While it has not been confirmed if the object is indeed a spy balloon, officials deemed it similar enough to warrant further investigation. Commercial fishermen discovered the unknown object and, concerned by its appearance, took pictures and contacted law enforcement.
Upon reviewing the images, FBI officials decided to meet the fishing vessel upon its arrival at port this weekend. The object will then be transported to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia, for analysis, following standard procedures for examining surveillance balloons.
Although the nature of the object remains unclear, there is a possibility that it could be a foreign government-operated surveillance balloon, similar to the one from China that crossed into US airspace last year. This incident prompted the US to enhance its radar systems to better detect high-altitude objects moving at certain speeds.
Since then, the US military has identified more unidentified objects in its airspace, leading to multiple shootdowns of such objects. Recently, NORAD intercepted a small balloon drifting over the southwest, determining it to be a hobby balloon with no threat.
The FBI's investigation into the mystery object found by the fishing vessel will shed more light on its origins and purpose. As the object makes its way to port, it remains a curious discovery awaiting further examination.
