Why use balloons for spying instead of satellites

The usage of espionage in myriad forms as an integral part of Chinese geopolitical policy is well known. As China continues making strides in technology, their alignment with the state’s goals become closer.

The recent spotting of a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon over the continental United States led to further strains in the already difficult bilateral relations between the U.S. and China, as Washington announced the cancellation of U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing. Pentagon press secretary Brig Gen Patrick Ryder had stated that the balloon was travelling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and did not presenta military or physical threat to people on the ground. However, the cancellation of Blinken’s visit shows the gravity of the situation. On its part, the Chinese government stated that the balloon was merely a weather instrument that had accidentally strayed into U.S. airspace and that the vehicle had limited steering capabilities and deviated from its planned course owing to winds.

A day after the Chinese spy balloon was detected in the US. airspace, another similar balloon was detected flying over Latin America. Pentagon press secretary Brig Gen Patrick Ryder stated that defense officials were assessing the second balloon. On 6 January this year, a similar balloon was spotted over Port Blair in India. While the origins of the balloons remained a mystery, it was the same type of reconnaissance balloons has been spotted over the U.S. and Latin America. The question that does arise in this context is why would China or any other country use a flying object to spy in this age of ultra-advanced satellites?