A Chinese hot air balloon shot down by the US in February had solar panels that could generate enough electricity to power a type of radar that can generate images at night and through clouds, the Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing classified US intelligence documents. Reuters reports.

The balloon’s surveillance capabilities were detailed in a document from the US National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), which was allegedly posted on Discord by Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, writes the Washington Post.

Teixeira, 21, was charged Friday in Boston with illegally copying and transmitting classified information.

It will be recalled that the balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4 by a missile fired from a US Air Force jet.

The balloon sparked outrage in Washington and soured US-China ties when it flew over the US in January and February.

According to the NGA paper, the balloon can generate up to 10,000 watts, more than enough to power a sophisticated surveillance system known as a synthetic aperture radar, Post said.

This type of radar can generate images at night and penetrate clouds and thin materials such as tarps to reveal objects below, the paper reported.

The balloon also had a 4-foot-diameter satellite dish, several unidentified sensors and possibly an antenna mast, Post said.

The Pentagon declined a Reuters request for comment on the information published by the Washington Post.