A standard high-altitude research tool became the world's most-tracked aircraft after thousands of people mistook it for the suspected Chinese spy balloon

• A standard research tool from the United States became the most-tracked aircraft on FlightRadar24.
• Thousands mistook it for the suspected Chinese spy balloon that has gripped global attention.
• FlightRadar24 updated its listing to clarify: "Sorry, this is not a Chinese balloon."

A standard high-altitude research tool from the United States became the world's most-tracked aircraft on popular flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 after thousands mistook it for the suspected Chinese spy balloon that was spotted flying above Montana on February 1.