Overview
- Recent sightings were reported over Colorado, Arizona and Alabama, with one tracked from northeast Alabama into Tennessee as HBAL787.
- Aerostar confirmed ownership of several balloons, including a Thunderhead steerable craft seen near Boulder, according to local reports.
- World View Enterprises said a Colorado balloon identified this month was one of its Stratollite research platforms, while similar summer sightings in Wisconsin and Alaska were also deemed research flights.
- At least one Tucson-area balloon was later linked to a U.S. military test, renewing questions from civil-liberties advocates about domestic data collection.
- Witnesses said some high-altitude objects did not appear on public trackers like Flightradar24, contributing to uncertainty despite multiple confirmed U.S. origins.