Sighting in Gueux, August 25, 2025

In the evening, from their terrace out in the countryside, the witness noticed a white trail moving slowly in a straight line from west to east across a clear sky. It then gradually faded away. Two other people saw it as well, and photographs were taken.

The GEIPAN considered the case to have low strangeness and good consistency, thanks to the number of witnesses and the pictures. It was positively identified as an orbital manoeuvre by the Chinese Long March 8 rocket (CZ-8 R/B), which was at that time placing satellites of the Guowang internet mega-constellation into position. The trail was gas expelled by the launcher's stage, following either an engine relight or a venting of propellants. The Sun had already set for the observer on the ground, but it still lit up the gas. The event prompted many consistent reports along its path across France, Belgium and Germany, and it is listed on several platforms, including the VigieCiel website. The case is classified A.