BREAKING: US military tracks high-altitude balloon seen flying over Western states

US officials told CBS News that the balloon is not considered to be a threat, but that its origin and purpose is currently unknown. The US Military sent an aircraft to investigate the object after it had been spotted in Colorado.

This discovery comes one year after Chinese spy balloons invaded US airspace amid increasing tensions between the US and the CCP.

Chinese officials originally said the balloon was a civilian weather vessel that accidentally entered US airspace after it had drifted from its charted course.

The US State Department rebuked the CCP's claim and said that the balloon was fitted with large solar panels that could power "an array of intelligence-collection sensors" and added that "the manufacturer of the balloon has a direct relationship with the Chinese military."

The US Official stated that the balloon was "likely capable of collecting and geo-locating" American communications.

The invasion of the spy aircraft created a headache for President Biden. He had been criticized by Congressional Republicans for allowing the balloon to drift over the United States for nearly one week before it had been shot down off the coast of South Carolina.

This is a breaking story. Refresh the page for updates.