Project Genetrix, also known as WS-119L, was a program run by the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and the Central Intelligence Agency during the 1950s under the guise of meteorological research.[1] It launched hundreds of surveillance balloons that flew over China, Eastern Europe, and the Soviet Union to collect intelligence on their nuclear capabilities. The Genetrix balloons were manufactured by the aeronautical division of General Mills.[2][3] They were about 20 stories tall, carried cameras and other electronic equipment, and reached altitudes ranging from 30,000 to over 60,000 feet, well above the reach of any contemporary fighter plane.[4][5] The overflights drew protests from target countries, while the United States defended its action.[5][6]
- ^ Huntington, Tom (2023-02-03). "Spying with Balloons? It's Been Done Before". HistoryNet.
- ^ "The "daddy" of the balloon industry « A Taste of General Mills". 2011-11-29. Archived from the original on 2011-11-29. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Final Report: Project 85012, Report No. 1227, General Mills, Inc, Mechanical Division, Engineering Research & Development Department, September 4, 1953.
- ^ Abel, Elie (1956-02-08). "Dulles hints U.S. will try to curb balloon flights". The New York Times. pp. 1, 11.
The balloons operate between altitudes of 30,000 and 50,000 feet. International law is obscure on the question of who owns the upper air. I don't know how high a balloon has to go before you get out of bounds of sovereignty. Communist China ... charged tonight that the United States was sending military reconnaissance balloons over its territory.
- ^ a b Burnett, Maurice G. (2012). Hexagon (KH-9) Mapping Camera Program and Evolution. United States of America: Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance. ISBN 978-1-937219-08-6.
The program, code name GENETRIX, called for light-weight plastic balloons carrying optical cameras and electronic equipment to be floated across the U.S.S.R. ... capable of remaining above 60,000 feet ... The cover story ... stated that the project was part of a worldwide meteorological survey. 512 vehicles were launched.
- ^ Schwarz, Jon (2023-02-07). "U.S. Sent "Weather" Balloons to Spy on China and the Soviet Union in the 1950s". The Intercept.
Asked if the United States feels that they have the right to send these balloons at a certain height anywhere around the globe, Dulles answered, Yes, I think that we feel that way.