A small balloon measuring 50 feet in height and carrying a two-foot cube payload was intercepted by fighter aircraft at an altitude of 43,000 to 45,000 feet over Utah on Friday morning, as reported by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Officials have stated that the balloon, which was non-maneuverable, does not pose a threat to national security.

NORAD, in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), determined that the balloon did not present a hazard to flight safety. The origins of the balloon remain unclear, and it is unknown what the payload may contain.

The balloon detection comes more than a year after a previous incident involving a Chinese spy balloon that was tracked across the United States and subsequently shot down over U.S. territorial waters east of South Carolina. The Chinese balloon, nearly 200 feet tall and equipped with extensive intelligence sensors, heightened tensions between the two nations.

In response to the increased detection of high altitude balloons, NORAD had adjusted its sensors to track such objects more effectively. This recent interception over Utah marks a continuation of NORAD's vigilance in monitoring airborne threats.

NORAD has assured that it will continue to track and monitor the current balloon situation, ensuring flight safety in the region.