What is being characterized as a small balloon was intercepted by fighter aircraft Friday morning over Utah at an altitude of 43,000 to 45,000 feet and is being allowed to continue to fly above the United States because it has been determined not to pose a national security threat said, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said in a statement.
A U.S. official described the balloon as being 50 feet tall and carrying a payload that is the size of a two-foot cube. It is not known what the payload might be carrying the official said.
