VILLERUPT (54) 13.08.2013

On 13 August 2013 around 20:00, a witness in Villerupt saw a bright point moving slowly along a straight path. Its apparent magnitude was initially constant, before it brightened strongly. GEIPAN assesses the case as moderately unusual but sufficiently supported by numerous consistent, precise details. It identifies a conventional satellite-reflection phenomenon. Further research indicated that the very probable source was Cosmos 2268, an uncontrolled Russian military satellite of the Strela-3 type. After conducting his own research, the witness also accepted and confirmed this explanation. The case is classified A: a satellite reflection involving the old Cosmos 2268 satellite.