Remember in 2023, there was a Chinese spy balloon moving over U.S. territory for days before it was shot down over the Atlantic Ocean? Now fresh reports indicate that there was technology on board from at least 5 American companies. This discovery raises questions about a gap in the control of the sale of advanced equipment, which can scope rivals of the United States.
Three fast facts:
- American technology – 5 American companies have discovered components on board the balloon, including Texas Instruments and Iridium.
- Advanced equipment – The balloon had, among others, a satellite communication module and sensors to collect intelligence data.
- Chinese denials – Beijing claimed it was a weather probe, although American intelligence confirmed its spy destiny.
Chinese balloon over the USA – what was on board?
The Chinese balloon flew over Alaska and then continued its journey over the central and east states of the United States before being shot down off the coast of South Carolina. After recovering his remains, it was revealed that there were advanced devices, including a satellite communication module and various types of sensors.
According to the report, Texas Instruments, Omega Engineering, Amphenol All Sensors Corp., Onsemi and Iridium were found on board the balloon. Additionally, elements produced by the Swiss company STMicroelectronics were detected.
One of the key discoveries was the communication module Iridium 9602which allows you to send short messages via satellite. This device is commercially available and can be utilized for various purposes, from animal tracking to exploration of hard areas available.
How did American equipment get to China?
The fact that the Chinese probe contained American technology raises questions about the flow of advanced components into abroad markets. Many American companies produce elements that can be legally sold to China and then utilized in a way that is controversial.
Iridium representative, Jordan Hassim, assured that the company does not control the intent of its modules and has no traceability where they are precisely used. However, he added that if cases of misuse were detected, Iridium was working with the American government to prevent further usage of its technologies.
Read more: Arrest of a Wall Street diary writer in Russia. FSB creates fresh threads
New video of the Chinese spy balloon being shot down pic.twitter.com/XwRVA7s1Hu
— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) February 4, 2023Will the United States introduce more control over technology exports?
The usage of U.S. components in Chinese intelligence equipment may lead to stricter rules on the export of delicate technologies. Already now, the U.S. limits the sale of advanced integrated circuits to China to hinder Beijing's improvement of artificial intelligence and supercomputers.
Eventually, although a Chinese balloon was shot down and its mission failed, the case shows that technological tensions between the US and China do not weaken. It is possible that in future the US government will further tighten the export rules for key components to avoid akin situations.
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