There was such as vast public response to the mystery objects spotted over Kansas City that none other than the National Weather Service of Kansas City felt compelled to tweet on Thursday, June 20 that "we honestly have no explanation for the floating objects over Kansas City," along with a sub-tweet of an image showing two "floating objects" in the sky.



We honestly have no explanation for the floating objects over Kansas City. — NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) June 21, 2019

Re: Floating objects (two small white spheres above the anvil shield). Others farther north may have a better view. pic.twitter.com/fFTYi59vGM — NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) June 21, 2019



Social media was ignited by this news (or lack thereof) with many speculating (and the NWS's vague tweet not helping) that an alien invasion was taking place. However, just hours later it was revealed that the mystery flying objects were a top-secret DARP (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) project, dubbed Adaptable Lighter Than Air (ALTA) program.

ALTA was developed to test high altitude lighter-than-air vehicle capable of wind-borne navigation over extended ranges. The balloons can fly at altitudes of more than 75,000 feet while carrying a small payload.

DARPA launched three ALTA balloons from Cumberland, Maryland, about 80 miles west of Camp David, on June 18, 2019. According to C⁴ISRNET, DARPA was tracking the balloons, the agency said the ALTA balloon flights are coordinated with the FAA.



Last night, DARPA launched 3 balloons from Cumberland, Maryland, in a flight test for the Adaptable Lighter Than Air prgm. Over next few days, ALTA will demonstrate capability for wind-borne navigation of a lighter-than-air vehicle over extended ranges. https://t.co/Og8dWCvszc pic.twitter.com/NjUB6Got94 — DARPA (@DARPA) June 18, 2019

"The balloons are controlled from fixed and mobile ground stations, with consistent point-to-point links and satellite relays," said Dr. Alexander M.G. Walan, ALTA program manager, noting that the balloons have sensors used to assess flight performance. Also, the ballons have an entirely different shape from weather balloons because they are larger and look like orbs.

The real purpose of the mission is classified, as apparently is the reason why DARPA decided to make the balloons look like giant alien spaceships.

A group of unknown Kansas City residents spotted giant balloons floating across the sky. Some thought it was, who esle, the Russians while others were concerned it was an alien invasion.

On Twitter, many speculated the balloons were alien spaceships.

THIS IS IT

THEY’VE COME BACK

FINALLY, IT’S ALL OVER https://t.co/vhZs0Isvgs — Sam Sykes (@SamSykesSwears) June 21, 2019

Please be the Mothership

Please be the Mothership

Please be the Mothership

Please be the Mothership

Please be the Mothership

Please be the Mothership https://t.co/ola6YalNAz — Brooke Binkowski (@brooklynmarie) June 21, 2019

According to Flightradar24, two of the balloons are approaching Denver, Colorado this weekend.

The news of alien-looking ballons over the Midwest comes at a time when the US government is officially starting to acknowledge reports of "unidentified aerial phenomenon" more seriously than ever before, and last week three senators received a detailed report of UFO sightings.