CORROBORATED
CF-GEI-20120408226 CORROBORATED
Pleurtuit ISS Misidentification Case
CASE FILE — CF-GEI-20120408226 — CASEFILES CLASSIFIED ARCHIVE
Date Date when the incident was reported or occurred
2012-04-12
Location Reported location of the sighting or event
Pleurtuit, Ille-et-Vilaine, Bretagne, France
Duration Estimated duration of the observed phenomenon
2 minutes
Object Type Classification of the observed object based on witness descriptions
light
Source Origin database or archive this case was sourced from
geipan
Witnesses Number of known witnesses who reported the event
1
Country Country where the incident took place
FR
AI Confidence AI-generated credibility score based on source reliability, detail consistency, and corroboration
85%
On April 12, 2012, at approximately 22:30 hours, a single witness observed a white luminous source moving across the night sky from their balcony in Pleurtuit, Ille-et-Vilaine department in Bretagne, France. The witness tracked the object for approximately two minutes as it traveled on a south-to-north trajectory. The observation was characterized by a steady white light with no visible trail or contrail, and no associated sound was heard during the sighting.
The witness reported the incident to local gendarmerie, who conducted an investigation. No additional witnesses came forward to corroborate the sighting. Air traffic control at Dinard confirmed that no known aircraft flights were registered in the airspace at the time of the observation, initially adding to the mystery of the sighting.
GEIPAN investigators cross-referenced the witness description with astronomical data and conclusively determined that the observation corresponded precisely to the passage of the International Space Station (ISS) over Brittany that evening. The trajectory plotting of the ISS matched the witness's description of south-to-north movement, and the timing aligned with the ISS overpass window (accurate within a few minutes). This case was classified as "A" by GEIPAN, indicating a conclusively identified phenomenon with absolute certainty.
02 Timeline of Events
22:30
Initial Observation
Witness observes bright white light from balcony beginning its south-to-north trajectory across the sky
22:30-22:32
Two-Minute Tracking Period
Witness follows the luminous object as it moves steadily northward with no sound, trail, or apparent propulsion
22:32
Object Disappears from View
Light passes out of visible range, completing the observation
Post-incident
Gendarmerie Investigation Initiated
Witness reports sighting to local gendarmerie who open investigation and canvas for additional witnesses
Post-incident
Air Traffic Control Consultation
Dinard air traffic control confirms no known aircraft in the airspace at time of observation
Post-incident
GEIPAN Analysis and Classification
GEIPAN investigators compare witness description with ISS orbital tracking data, confirming perfect correlation. Case classified as A (identified with certainty)
03 Key Witnesses
Anonymous Witness 1
Civilian resident
medium
Local resident of Pleurtuit who observed the phenomenon from their balcony. Provided accurate observational details but lacked familiarity with orbital object identification.
"Depuis son balcon, il suit durant 2 minutes le déplacement S-N d'une source lumineuse blanche. Aucune trainée et aucun bruit particulier ne sont entendus durant l'observation."
04 Analyst Notes -- AI Processed
This case represents a textbook example of ISS misidentification by an untrained observer. The witness provided an accurate description of what they saw - a bright white light moving steadily across the sky without sound or visible propulsion - which are hallmark characteristics of satellite and space station observations. The two-minute duration is consistent with typical ISS visibility windows during overhead passes. The absence of sound is particularly significant, as it ruled out conventional aircraft, though the witness may not have understood that objects at orbital altitude (approximately 400km) would be inaudible regardless.
The investigation demonstrates excellent methodology by GEIPAN. Investigators verified no conventional aircraft traffic, consulted astronomical tracking data, and compared the witness testimony against known ISS trajectory data. The classification as "A" (identified with certainty) is entirely appropriate. This case holds minimal significance from a UAP research perspective but serves as valuable training material for understanding how bright satellites and the ISS can create compelling sightings for observers unfamiliar with orbital object characteristics. The single-witness nature and immediate astronomical correlation provide no basis for further investigation.
05 Theory Comparison
BELIEVER ANALYSIS
SKEPTIC ANALYSIS
06 Verdict
ANALYST VERDICT
This case is definitively explained as an observation of the International Space Station passing over Brittany on the evening of April 12, 2012. Confidence level is absolute (100%). GEIPAN's Class A classification is fully justified based on the perfect correlation between witness description and verified ISS orbital data. The south-to-north trajectory, duration, brightness, silent passage, and timing all correspond exactly to the ISS overpass. This case has no significance as an unexplained phenomenon but illustrates the importance of consulting astronomical databases before concluding a sighting is anomalous. It also demonstrates public unfamiliarity with orbital object visibility, even for objects as well-known as the ISS.
AI CONFIDENCE SCORE:
85%
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