CUXAC-D'AUDE (11) 12.08.2023

On 12 August 2023 at 22:18, 4 family members on their terrace at Cuxac-d’Aude (11) saw a UAP. Only 1 initially reported to GEIPAN. He described a ladder with perfectly parallel, identical rails joined by perpendicular crosspieces, also joined at top and bottom, forming about 6 or 7 precisely fitted rectangles. Rails and crosspieces had the same thickness. Its colour was uniformly vivid orange. It moved lengthways across the entire sky silently in about 20 seconds. GEIPAN assesses the evidential strength—the quantity of reliable information collected—as good. The principal witness documented the event extensively by registered post, including photographs and precisely annotated location drawings. During investigation, 3 people from his circle confirmed the observation. The principal witness insisted it was wholly unlike online Starlink images. However, 22 Starlink satellites, mission G6-9, had been launched the preceding day, and their train crossed the viewing area at 22:14 while the witnesses were looking for shooting stars. The source retains this time alongside the reported 22:18. The unusual feature was the principal witness’s ladder-shape perception. The other witnesses contacted gave a more conventional satellite-train description. Many others present during the 12 August Perseid meteor-shower evening also corroborated the observation, some with photographs. GEIPAN classifies the case A: observation of a Starlink satellite train.