remain aloft

Taken together, the revelations raised immediate questions about whether the Biden administration, which has faced blistering criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike for its decision to let the Chinese balloon remain aloft for days, overreacted by taking such aggressive steps to down the smaller objects when, in the final analysis, they may prove to be largely innocuous.

A Pentagon spokesman said it could remain aloft over the U.S. for “a few days,” extending uncertainty about where it will go or if the U.S. will try to safely take it down.

A Pentagon spokesman said it could remain aloft over the U.S. for “a few days,” extending uncertainty about where it will go or if the U.S. will try to safely take it down.

In such a case, the aircraft slows down too much to be able to remain aloft and goes out of control.

“The smoke is expected to remain aloft but may cause hazy skies across the Bay. Good to moderate air quality is forecast through the week,” the Bay Area Air District said.