NUFORC UFO Sighting 181923

Occurred: 2024-06-17 23:05 Local - Approximate
Reported: 2024-06-18 07:13 Pacific
Duration: Approx 2 minutes
No of observers: 1

Location: Sacramento, CA, USA
Location details: Western sky at approximately 40 degrees vertical to the horizon.

Shape: Light
Color: White
Estimated Size: Unknown - The light source was maybe .25" relative
Viewed From: Land
Direction from Viewer: West
Angle of Elevation: 40
Closest Distance: 3-4 miles minimum
Estimated Speed: Stationary
Explanation: Rocket - Probable
Characteristics: Aura or haze around object, Left a trail, Emitted beams

Comet like object

I was taking my dog to the backyard to urinate last night and saw something weird in the sky. Suddenly in the West sky there was what looked like a large star with a downward tail of defused light fanning out below it. I went inside to grab my phone to take a picture. In the time it took me to get my phone, it started rapidly disappearing. The source disappeared first. Then the tail slowly disappeared after.

At first I thought it was a comet. But they don't disappear that quickly.

NUFORC Note:

An operational test launch of an unarmed Mk21A reentry vehicle was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base aboard a Minotaur I rocket, Monday, June 17, at 11:01 p.m. PT.

The Mk21A RV is currently under contract with Lockheed Martin for its engineering and manufacturing development phase. After attaining full operational capability, the Mk21A RV will be integrated on the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system. The Mk21A program is currently in early development and overseen by the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.

Posted 2024-06-21