NORAD stated on Saturday that the suspicious balloon intercepted by U.S. fighter jets over Utah on Friday likely belonged to a hobbyist.

The agency confirmed that the enigmatic balloon had exited U.S. airspace, offering no additional details regarding the operator’s identity or the balloon’s purpose.

Military aircraft intercepted the balloon on Friday at an altitude of 43,000 to 45,000 feet, slightly above typical commercial flight levels.

However, NORAD allowed the balloon to proceed towards Georgia after determining it posed no threat to national security, continuing to monitor its path on Friday night.

Earlier reports suggested the balloon, seemingly constructed of Mylar, featured a small cube-shaped box suspended from it.

NORAD did not disclose information regarding the craft’s origin or purpose, the Daily Beast reported.

The appearance of the mysterious balloon evoked memories of a similar incident over a year ago when the Pentagon raised concerns about a Chinese spy balloon drifting over the U.S.

The previous balloon was tracked across the country and eventually shot down off the coast of South Carolina, contributing to heightened tensions between the U.S. and China.

Written by B.C. Begley