Sighting in Vals-des-Tilles, March 2, 2025

At 6:40 a.m., the only witness was standing at a window at home when they noticed a bright point of light in the sky to the west, about 40° above the horizon. It moved at a steady speed, similar to that of the ISS. Its path gradually curved toward the south, and it did not pass directly overhead. After 20 to 30 seconds it disappeared at an azimuth of 160° and an elevation of about 30°.

The witness had thought of the ISS but dismissed the idea, because the object seemed dimmer than expected and, above all, because its path bent. There was no photo or video, and the account was rated as having medium consistency.

The CNES Orbitography Centre confirmed that the ISS was present at the time and coordinates the witness gave. The very bright white point and its steady motion match the station's appearance. The lower brightness is normal at daybreak. The curved path is also normal, since the ISS never follows a strictly straight line because the Earth is round, and the apparent bend was a perspective effect. Finally, had the ISS not been the object seen, the witness would have seen a second, separate point of light, as the station's pass did occur. GEIPAN classified the case as A: observation of the ISS.