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Sighting in Rentree Atmospherique - National, February 18, 2005

France

Sighting on February 18, 2005 in Rentree Atmospherique - National (France). According to GEIPAN, it was most probably the atmospheric re-entry of a space object (rocket stage, debris) (class B).

What happened

Several reports were filed with the CRNA/Est on 18 February 2005. Airline pilots described a very bright, bluish-white phenomenon that crossed the sky extremely quickly at around 22:23. By their account, it followed a descending path. Witnesses on the ground also reported seeing a luminous phenomenon pass by at great speed.

A few days later, the press reported that many people across the departments of north-eastern France had seen a small meteorite fall.

GEIPAN classified the case as B: the observations were most likely of an atmospheric re-entry, seen by pilots and by witnesses on the ground.

Account rewritten by SkyUnknown from the investigation report published by GEIPAN (CNES). The original text and case documents are on the official record.

Date
February 18, 2005
Location
Rentree Atmospherique - National · town centre
Type of sighting
From the ground
Source classification
B
Explanation
Re-entries

Sources

Summary written by SkyUnknown from the facts published by the source.