Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iranian TV: The Israeli entity attacked the Natanz nuclear facility again
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Reports of a new Israeli aggression on the city of Shiraz, southwest Iran
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Martyrs reported in the recent aggression on Tabriz
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: New attack near Tabriz airport
Iran's atomic energy organization says 'Israel's' attack is a failure for the IAEA as a result of its dirctor's 'shortcomings': Statement
Iran's atomic energy organization says investigations have not shown any radioactive or chemical contamination outside Natanz: Statement
Iran's atomic energy organization says damage sutained in Natanz nuclear facility, no casualties reported yet: Statement
Israeli military says it completed large-scale strike against the aerial defense aray of Iran
Netanyahu spoke with German Chancellor Merz on phone at around 0030 GMT: Der Spiegel
German government informed of 'Israel's' attack on Iran shortly before: Der Spiegel

US company captures satellite images of Chinese military blimp: CNN

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: CNN
  • 1 May 2023 22:58
3 Min Read

The Pentagon confirms that the US military will track the blimp since it is visible to satellites.

  • x
  • US China Balloon
    A satellite image shows a blimp in the middle of a runway at a remote base in northwestern China (BlackSky)

Satellite images have been captured for the first time of a giant Chinese military blimp at a remote base in northwestern China, CNN reported on Monday.

The images were taken by the US satellite imaging company BlackSky Aerospace on November 2022 -- three months before an alleged Chinese spy balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina -- and show the blimp, estimated to be roughly 100 feet long, in the middle of a runway outfitted to launch airships at a military complex in the desert, the report indicated.

⚡️CNN Exclusive: Never-before-seen Chinese military blimp caught on satellite images of remote desert base pic.twitter.com/0YqaBq5OR0

— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) May 1, 2023

It explained that the blimp could be used as a "sky submarine" and appears to have the ability to navigate and propel itself, which could allow the craft to linger over an area for extended periods of time.

According to CNN, the United States Defense Department has confirmed that the US military will track the blimp since it is visible to satellites.

Related News

Political, military Iranian figures vow revenge, slam US complicity

Global condemnations pour in against Israeli aggression on Iran

The images serve to shed light on China's preference for airships - blimps, aerostats, and balloons - which are affordable and capable of providing more accurate intelligence than satellites, while also being less prone to damage than airplanes, the US media outlet pointed out.

In the same context, the report mentioned that the BlackSky images have captured a large, 900-foot hangar capable of housing much larger airships.

Read more: US passes bill holding China 'accountable' for balloon incident

US Military tracking another balloon that flew over Hawaii: Reports

In the same context, the US military is tracking a balloon of unknown origin that traversed over sections of Hawaii, NBC News reported on Monday, citing officials.

The US military has been tracking the object since late last week and determined that it does not pose a threat to national security or aerial traffic, and is not transmitting any communication signals, the report said.

Though the balloon — which is moving slowly toward Mexico — did not travel over sensitive areas, the US could still shoot it down if it nears land, the report added. The aircraft does not appear to have maneuverability.

The United States is currently working to identify the owner of the balloon, and does not think that it belongs to China, the report added.

  • United States
  • US
  • US Defense Department
  • China

Most Read

The logo of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence (wikidata)

Iran acquired thousands of sensitive Israeli documents: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 7 Jun 2025
'Israel' launches major strike against Iran's nuclear program

'Israel' launches massive aggression on Iran

  • MENA
  • Today
Iranian demonstrators walk on a caricature of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the annual Quds Day rally in support of Palestinians, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 28, 2025 (AP)

Iran hits 'Israel' hard without arms; intel breach lays Tel Aviv bare

  • Politics
  • 7 Jun 2025
The flag of the International Atomic Energy Agency flies in front of its headquarters during an IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP)

Tehran unravels documents exposing secret IAEA-'Israel' collusion

  • Politics
  • 12 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
U.S. National Guard are deployed around downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following a immigration raid protest the night before. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
US & Canada

ICE raids in LA trap families in harsh conditions: Lawyers

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro speaks at a rally to garner support for a referendum on labor reform, in Cali, Colombia, on June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)
Politics

Petro slams US-linked coup plot, signs decree for popular consultation

President Donald Trump speaks as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on April 17, 2025. (AP)
US & Canada

World sees Trump as ‘arrogant’, ‘dangerous’ as ratings sink: Poll

he Department of Defense logo is seen on the wall in the Press Briefing room at the Pentagon on, Oct. 29, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File)
Politics

Future of $240bln AUKUS deal in doubt as Pentagon launches review

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS