[AERO AFR] LAT 11.60, LON 144.70 (US.GU) 27.06.2010

On 27 June 2010 at 18:05, a pilot and his copilot on a Nouméa–Seoul flight on an Airbus 330 at 40,000 feet (12500 metres) saw a bright spot “at one o’clock” moving quickly on a straight path towards the SE. No smoke or burning trace was noticed. The speed was estimated at Mach 6 at an altitude of at least 80000 feet (approx. 25,000 metres). As the light point arrived at his three o’clock (90° to the right), the pilot contacted the Guam-based area air-traffic control service without giving it a precise position or heading. The controller, first surprised, replied in the negative before contacting a minute later an American Airlines flight which was in the area to ask him for confirmation of unreported air traffic. The American Airlines flight crew confirmed the observation. The observation ended after 5 minutes, when the light point passed through the observing crew’s blind spot. Only 1 account was collected. GEIPAN considers the sighting characteristic of a satellite, most likely the International Space Station. The position indications in the sky, date, time and duration of observation are consistent with the proposed hypothesis. As always in these cases, the distance and speed estimate made by the witness, even an experienced pilot, cannot be correct. Without reference, it is absolutely impossible for a witness to estimate the distance, size and speed of an object that he or she does not know. Only the phenomenon’s angular speed can be assessed precisely. As the ISS is much brighter than other satellites, the crews will have perceived it closer and at lower altitude. The position indications in the sky, date, time and duration of the observation have been accurately taken into account and are consistent with the proposed hypothesis (see detailed investigation report). GEIPAN classifies this case as "A": observation of the International Space Station (ISS).