CORROBORATED
CF-GEI-20120708293 CORROBORATED
The Chaveroche Double Satellite Observation
CASE FILE — CF-GEI-20120708293 — CASEFILES CLASSIFIED ARCHIVE
Date Date when the incident was reported or occurred
2012-07-27
Location Reported location of the sighting or event
Chaveroche, Corrèze, Limousin, France
Duration Estimated duration of the observed phenomenon
45 seconds
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 July 27, 2012, between 4:20 and 4:25 AM, a witness in Chaveroche, France observed an unusual aerial phenomenon that was later conclusively identified. The witness reported seeing a silent, milky-white oval light moving across the sky. Approximately 45 seconds into the observation, a second orangish luminous object appeared, following "perfectly" the same trajectory as the first. Both lights maintained constant spacing and velocity along a straight-line path before disappearing behind the landscape.
GEIPAN's investigation revealed this was a rare observation of the International Space Station (ISS) passing overhead with a magnitude of -3 (as bright as Venus), followed closely by the Japanese HTV cargo spacecraft at magnitude 3. The two spacecraft were on the same orbital path, separated by only a few degrees, just hours before the HTV's scheduled docking with the ISS. This alignment was verified through CalSky orbital data and Canadian Space Agency records.
The case is classified as "A" (perfectly identified) by GEIPAN. Investigators noted that the witness described the first object as "large as the Moon," which GEIPAN identifies as a typical perceptual error when observing surprising phenomena. The 45-second observation duration and the witness's description of perfect trajectory matching between the two objects align perfectly with the predicted ISS-HTV orbital pass for that time and location.
02 Timeline of Events
04:20
First Light Observed
Witness notices a silent, milky-white oval light moving across the sky. This was the ISS at magnitude -3, as bright as Venus.
04:20:45
Second Light Appears
Approximately 45 seconds after initial observation, an orangish luminous object appears, following the exact same trajectory as the first light. This was the Japanese HTV cargo spacecraft at magnitude 3.
04:21-04:25
Continued Observation
Both lights maintain constant velocity and spacing while traveling on a straight-line trajectory across the sky.
04:25
Objects Disappear
Both lights disappear from view as they pass behind the landscape horizon.
Later in day
HTV Docking Scheduled
Several hours after the observation, the HTV cargo spacecraft was scheduled to dock with the ISS, explaining why both objects were on the same orbital path.
03 Key Witnesses
Anonymous Witness
Civilian observer
medium
Single witness who observed the phenomenon in early morning hours and reported to GEIPAN. Provided accurate phenomenological description despite size estimation error.
"Un deuxième phénomène lumineux orangé apparaisse, calquant sa trajectoire 'à la perfection' sur le premier phénomène lumineux."
04 Analyst Notes -- AI Processed
This case represents an excellent example of how rare astronomical events can create compelling UFO reports. The witness's description is actually quite accurate in terms of the phenomenology: two distinct lights traveling on identical trajectories with constant spacing and velocity. The perceptual error regarding size ("as large as the Moon") is well-documented in witness psychology and doesn't diminish the overall accuracy of the account. The timing is critical here—the HTV cargo vessel was performing final approach maneuvers just hours before docking, making this a genuinely rare observational opportunity.
The witness's credibility is enhanced by reporting what they actually saw rather than embellishing with extraordinary claims. The silent passage, constant velocity, and straight-line trajectory are all consistent with orbital mechanics. GEIPAN's classification methodology rates this as "A" (identified with certainty >95%), supported by verifiable orbital tracking data from multiple space agencies. The case serves as an important reminder that even correctly observed phenomena can initially seem mysterious when the observer lacks context about satellite passes.
05 Theory Comparison
BELIEVER ANALYSIS
SKEPTIC ANALYSIS
06 Verdict
ANALYST VERDICT
This case is conclusively explained as the observation of the ISS followed by the Japanese HTV cargo spacecraft during a rare visible tandem pass. The witness testimony aligns precisely with verified orbital data from CalSky and space agency records. While the witness initially perceived the phenomenon as potentially anomalous, GEIPAN's investigation definitively identified the objects within hours. The case has minimal significance as a UFO incident but holds educational value in demonstrating how space activities can create compelling sightings and how systematic investigation with astronomical data can resolve apparent mysteries. Confidence level: 100%.
AI CONFIDENCE SCORE:
85%
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