My family and I were sitting in the outdoor spa when I heard a roar in the sky and my wife and daughter commented about a light in the sky. I looked up and was surprised to see a rocket like craft ascending into the sky. I have seen the U2 aircraft climb straight up and this craft did this. I am a Field Support Engineer for an aviation company and understand flying aircraft- this was a rocket headed for orbit as it flickered and became smaller with accompanying rocket sounds. During the event, we noticed a small light separate from the rocket and go towards the west- it appeared like sparks at first. I observed the rocket until it disappeared as it climbed, growing smaller. My wife then commented that there was a parachute up in the sky. I looked up and saw what I would characterize as a jet airplane going from north to south at a high rate of speed towards the north of my location. I followed the craft visually and determined that 1) it was moving at a high rate of speed and 2) was illuminated as a bright light - not like any aircraft I am familiar with. I began to track the craft and videoed it with my iPhone video. It sped to the south of my location and I videoed several clips. It then made a full circle maneuver in the sky and continued to the south. The light then disappeared. I reviewed the videos I took and was very surprised to see no view of the sky, but close up of the fence and grass. My daughter was in the hot tub behind me as I filmed and watched as I was filming this event and stated she saw the sky on my screen. What was recorded did not match what was seen. Videos attached.
Doug Bowlsby
Textron Aviation Field Service Engineer.
