Synopsis: On 04 June 12, at 2237 hours, the witness of this investigation observed “a starlike object moving in the night”. The object traveled across the sky from North to South for approximately three to ten seconds before disappearing. The witness also reported the object made no noise or unusual maneuvers, and was about the same brightness as a star.
Evidence Submitted: A sketch of the UFO.
Initial Action: This UFO case was opened as a FB1, a fly-by of a UFO traveling in a straight line across the sky. A preliminary analysis of the UFO description and sketch indicated the UFO was more than likely a man-made satellite in Low Earth Orbit.
Investigation and Findings: On 05 Aug 12, a team of investigators traveled to Huntington, MD and interviewed the witness of this UFO sighting. The witness described the UFO as a starlike object traveling from North to South until is disappeared over the horizon. The witness also pointed to the area in the sky where the object was observed, which was calculated at 42° above the horizon. After the interview, investigators conducted indices checks on satellite tracking databases and identified the UFO as space junk, more specifically, the Cosmos 1733 Rocket in Low Earth Orbit. The Cosmos 1733 Rocket passed over the witness’ location on the same date the UFO was observed (04 June 12) and at the same time (2238 hours). The Cosmos 1733, moreover, was traveling in the same direction (North to South) as reported by the witness.
Object Details: The Cosmos 1733 Rocket (US Space Command Catalog No. 16611) was a Soviet ELINT (Electronic and Signals Intelligence) satellite launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome on 20 Feb 86. The satellite remains in Low Earth Orbit with an apogee of 552 km and a perigee of 539 km.
