Kristin Wileman, who serves as Gov. Kristi Noem's press secretary, said to her understanding the state was not involved in the planning or logistics of the federal operation.

"That said, if the state of South Dakota can contribute in some small way to stopping the flow of drugs in our communities and country by hosting a balloon launch, we’re proud to play a role," she said in a Friday written statement.

The balloons will fly at a maximum altitude of 65,000 feet, well above that of a commercial airplane. According to The Guardian, the balloons radar are able to track individual vehicle's traffic day or night, rain or shine. The FCC documents show that the program is authorized from July 12 through Sept. 1.

Libby Skarin, policy director for The American Civil Liberties of South Dakota, said surveillance technology like Southcom's latest test "destroys any level of anonymity South Dakotans have," and "runs the risk of turning South Dakota into a surveillance state and violating the privacy of every South Dakotan."