SpaceX Rocket Cloud Sparks UFO Sightings Across China

On Sunday, an enigmatic spectacle of a glowing object rapidly traversing the skies from west to east captivated residents across various regions of China. The spectacle, described as a ‘moving cloud-like object’ or a ‘misty ball of light’ that emitted no sound, sparked intense discussions and speculations on social media. The strange phenomenon was witnessed in several cities, including the capital, Beijing, and the absence of flashing lights led many to rule out the possibility of it being an aircraft.

The SpaceX Connection

On Monday, experts shed light on the mystery, attributing the sighting to the passivation process of a Falcon 9 rocket, deployed for Elon Musk’s SpaceX initiative. The rocket, which had been launched to deliver 22 Starlink satellites into orbit, followed a trajectory that brought it over northern China. The unusual shapes noted in the ‘rocket cloud’ were a consequence of the rocket’s tumbling motion, a measure taken to dispel residual fuel. The scientific community, however, encourages further analysis to ascertain the precise cause of this celestial spectacle.

Aerospace Developments in China

In related aerospace news, China marked its own space milestone with the successful launch of an internet technology test satellite. The satellite was sent into orbit on Saturday morning aboard a Long March-2C rocket, an event covered extensively by the Beijing Daily. Simultaneously, Chinese commercial aerospace company CAS Space, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences Microsatellite Innovation Research Institute, announced an unspecified achievement, furthering China’s advancements in the space sector.

Setback in US Lunar Exploration

While China celebrated its space-related successes, the United States faced a disappointment in its lunar exploration efforts. The country’s aspiration to achieve its first moon landing in over half a century encountered a setback, raising speculations that the mission may have crashed. This development marked a significant contrast to the successful SpaceX Starlink satellite launch.