A Chinese spy balloon that crossed the U.S. in 2023 was equipped with technology from at least five American companies, including Iridium Communications. Identified equipment included a satellite communication module and various sensors. The balloon, claimed by China to be a weather device, was found to be used for espionage. U.S. agencies confirmed that the information gathered was likely not relayed to Beijing.
A Chinese surveillance balloon that traversed the United States prior to its downing off South Carolina in 2023 was reported to have been equipped with technology sourced from at least five American companies. This information, shared by credible U.S. military technical analysis sources, indicates that recovered equipment included a satellite communication module, various sensors, and advanced surveillance apparatus, some of which was found in a foam cooler, as reported by Newsweek.
The incident involved the balloon’s travel from Alaska to the East Coast, culminating in its destruction by military forces over the Atlantic Ocean on February 4, 2023. While Beijing asserted that the balloon served as a weather monitoring device, U.S. intelligence agencies conducted an investigation that revealed its use for espionage purposes. It is believed that the information gathered by the balloon could not be effectively transmitted back to China.
The revelation of American-made technology present in the balloon raises significant concerns regarding the potential availability of commercially sold equipment that could be acquired or subsequently resold to adversarial nations. Among the identified technology is the Iridium 9602 short burst messaging module produced by Iridium Communications, a prominent satellite provider based in Virginia.
Jordan Hassim, Iridium’s executive director for communications, stated that the company does not support the inappropriate use of its products. He emphasized the necessity of knowing the specific applications of their modules, stating, “There’s no way for us to know what the use is of a specific module.”
In addition to Iridium, sources identified several other companies contributing technology to the balloon, which include Texas Instruments, Omega Engineering, Amphenol All Sensors Corporation, and Onsemi. Additionally, the equipment from STMicroelectronics, a Swiss firm, was also found and recognized.
The incident of the Chinese spy balloon raises critical questions regarding the transfer and sale of sensitive technology to potential adversaries. The involvement of American companies in providing equipment for surveillance purposes underscores the complexities of national security and international relations. The swift identification of these companies highlights the potential consequences of commercial technology availability in a globalized market.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
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