CORROBORATED
CF-GEI-20130208406 CORROBORATED
Soyuz SL-4 R/B Reentry Over Grand Est
CASE FILE — CF-GEI-20130208406 — CASEFILES CLASSIFIED ARCHIVE
Date Date when the incident was reported or occurred
2013-02-13
Location Reported location of the sighting or event
Alsace and Lorraine, Grand Est, France
Duration Estimated duration of the observed phenomenon
several minutes
Object Type Classification of the observed object based on witness descriptions
other
Source Origin database or archive this case was sourced from
geipan
Witnesses Number of known witnesses who reported the event
6
Country Country where the incident took place
FR
AI Confidence AI-generated credibility score based on source reliability, detail consistency, and corroboration
85%
On February 13, 2013, at approximately 21:15 local time, multiple witnesses across the Alsace and Lorraine regions of northeastern France observed a spectacular luminous phenomenon moving silently across the night sky. Among the observers were six individuals in the air traffic control tower at Strasbourg-Entzheim Airport, providing highly credible professional witness testimony. The object appeared as a bright light followed by a trailing wake, moving in a straight horizontal trajectory across the sky.
The phenomenon was quickly identified by GEIPAN (France's official UAP investigation agency) as the atmospheric reentry of a Soyuz SL-4 R/B rocket stage, cataloged as object 39083 (2013-007B). This booster stage had been launched just two days earlier on February 11, 2013, carrying a Progress cargo spacecraft destined for the International Space Station. The investigation included trajectory modeling that confirmed the debris path over the region.
Despite the spectacular nature of the event, relatively few reports were received because weather conditions that evening limited visibility to only Alsace and southeastern France, where skies were clear. The case received GEIPAN's highest confidence classification of "A" - perfectly identified as atmospheric reentry of large space debris.
02 Timeline of Events
2013-02-11
Soyuz Launch
Soyuz SL-4 rocket launches carrying Progress cargo spacecraft to ISS, depositing booster stage 39083 (2013-007B) in decaying orbit
21:15
Initial Observation
Air traffic controllers at Strasbourg-Entzheim Airport observe bright luminous object with trail moving silently across sky on horizontal trajectory
21:15-21:20
Regional Sightings
Multiple witnesses across Alsace and Lorraine regions observe the same phenomenon crossing the night sky
21:20
Phenomenon Ends
Luminous object and trail disappear from view as reentry completes or object moves beyond horizon
Post-event
GEIPAN Investigation
GEIPAN conducts investigation, matches observations with satellite tracking data, performs trajectory modeling
Post-event
Positive Identification
Object confirmed as Soyuz SL-4 R/B stage (39083/2013-007B), case classified as 'A' - perfectly identified
03 Key Witnesses
Air Traffic Control Team
Air traffic controllers at Strasbourg-Entzheim Airport
high
Six professional air traffic controllers on duty at Strasbourg-Entzheim control tower, trained observers of aerial phenomena with expertise in aircraft and atmospheric events
"Observed the silent passage of a luminous phenomenon followed by a trail moving on a horizontal trajectory"
Anonymous Witnesses
Civilians across Alsace and Lorraine regions
medium
Multiple civilian witnesses across northeastern France who observed the same phenomenon from various locations
"Silent passage of a luminous phenomenon in the sky with a trailing wake"
04 Analyst Notes -- AI Processed
This case demonstrates the value of professional aviation witnesses and official space tracking data in resolving apparent anomalies. The six air traffic controllers at Strasbourg-Entzheim represent exceptionally credible observers trained in aerial phenomena identification, lending significant weight to the witness testimony. Their observations of silent, horizontal movement with a luminous trail are entirely consistent with space debris reentry characteristics.
The timing correlation is particularly strong: the Soyuz booster launched February 11, reentered February 13 - a typical timeframe for spent stages in decaying orbits. GEIPAN's trajectory modeling provided definitive confirmation, cross-referencing satellite tracking data (catalog number 39083/2013-007B) with witness observations. The weather factor - clear skies limited to Alsace and southeastern France - explains why such a dramatic event generated relatively few reports, as the phenomenon would have been visible over a much larger area under different conditions. This case exemplifies how space debris reentries can create impressive visual displays that might initially seem anomalous to untrained observers.
05 Theory Comparison
BELIEVER ANALYSIS
SKEPTIC ANALYSIS
06 Verdict
ANALYST VERDICT
This case is conclusively explained as the atmospheric reentry of a Soyuz SL-4 R/B rocket booster stage. The evidence is overwhelming: precise identification of the space object (39083/2013-007B), launch date correlation (February 11), professional witness credibility (air traffic controllers), trajectory modeling confirmation, and witness descriptions perfectly matching reentry characteristics. GEIPAN's "A" classification is fully justified. This case holds minimal significance for anomalous phenomena research but serves as an excellent example of how spectacular space debris reentries can generate UFO reports, and demonstrates the importance of professional witness testimony and international space tracking coordination in resolving such cases.
AI CONFIDENCE SCORE:
85%
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