Photos from U2 reconnaissance aircraft showed that Chinese hot air balloon which flew over the US last week was unmistakable specially equipped to collect information, not weather dataThis was stated by a US official on condition of anonymity.

Detailed images taken by U2 at high altitude showed that the equipment of the balloon was “clearly intended for collection of information and it had nothing to do with the hardware weather balloons“said a senior official. State Department.

“It had several antennas, probably for collecting and localizing geographic messages,” he said, adding: “It was equipped with solar panels large enough to generate the energy needed to run several active information gathering sensors“.

Recall that last Saturday an American fighter shot down a balloon over Atlanticsince it crossed most of the country, flying over areas where the US supports nuclear missiles in underground mines and park them their bombers.

The incident was spearheaded by the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkencancel a planned trip to Beijing aimed at improving communication between the superpowers.

The official said the US believes the balloon is under their control. People’s Liberation Army of China and was part of the balloon fleet that China sent over 40 countries on five continentsto collect information.

“We are sure that the manufacturer of balloons direct relations with the armed forces of China“, He said.

The official stressed that the US is considering taking action against Chinese entities linked to the operation of the balloon, suggesting they could impose sanctions.