Unraveling the Mystery

Given the widespread nature of the sighting, I aim for thoroughness in this account, which may also appear in case records associated with the same event. There is credible evidence suggesting that the sightings (redacted for privacy) likely pertain to a Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX, which was transporting 22 Starlink satellites into orbit. This launch took place at 8:50 PM on Sunday, July 23rd, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. For further details, one can refer to Space.com, which provides an overview of the entire mission, including the re-entry burn and touchdown on recovery ships.

The Falcon 9's first stage deployed its payload and initiated a re-entry burn 6 minutes and 15 seconds into the flight, landing 8.5 minutes after launch, as intended.

The moon, visible in several videos from the event, was a waxing crescent, rising at 11:46 AM and setting at 11:58 PM on July 23rd. Various recordings captured the moon, indicating the cameras were facing west. A Stellarium screenshot illustrates this. The different video and photo submissions exhibited varying levels of daylight, consistent with their respective sunset times documented in each report's weather section.

A screenshot from SpaceX outlines the flight path of the mission. The Falcon 9 launched towards the southeast, while the second stage continued into a polar orbit. According to one news segment quoting Ken Miller: "NBC5 viewers reported seeing the lights between 9:30 and 10:30 PM. In at least three videos, we see the light followed by what appears to be a cloud of smoke. The Federal Aviation Administration suggests that the likely cause is a SpaceX rocket launch in Florida, which occurred 90 minutes before the lights were observed." More information can be found in the NBC 5 UFO report.

There were inaccuracies in this report that initially skewed the field investigation negatively. For instance, the Harris County Skywalker indicated that the line of sight ranged from 385 miles where the rocket first appeared above the horizon to over 600 miles for the second stage's disappearance. Based on this, no observers in Texas should have been able to see both the launch and the re-entry burn, particularly as it traveled southeast. However, all video timestamps fall within a reasonable range of approximately 9:25 PM for the recording initiation. While this is technically around 90 minutes post-launch, the numerous witness videos and testimonials suggest a more precise correlation. This does not rule out the possibility that observers might have seen the second stage deploying the 22 Starlink satellites, but it seems unlikely that the Falcon 9 booster was what was reported, especially since the Falcon 9 landed 8.5 minutes after launch, as confirmed by SpaceX and Space.com. A YouTube video showing the Starlink trains detaching from the second stage is available, although it lacks the dramatic flair of the smoke ring observed over Texas.

While the investigator leans towards believing the sightings pertain to SpaceX, lingering questions remain. I have reached out via email to both SpaceX and media outlets seeking clarification; as of now, no responses have been received. Should any information come through, I will update this report.

It's important to recognize the contributions of M. Y. for their assistance with the case and the initial notification regarding the SpaceX launch. Special thanks to R. M. for helping clarify my misunderstandings. Additionally, one anonymous witness provided YouTube video links, which are greatly appreciated. I firmly believe that this investigative endeavor is a collaborative effort, and I cherish the time spent engaging with witnesses—without whom this work would not be possible.

A YouTube video capturing the launch can be found here, while SpaceX has made the complete launch video available here.

Other videos appear to relate to the same event, including one hosted by meteorologist Jacob Riley. I have sent Jacob an email inquiring about any additional footage.

Here are links to more video captures: - one - two - three - four

(These resources are publicly accessible; if you’re a fan of my writing, please refrain from contacting these individuals. However, I welcome outreach to Ken Miller and Jacob Riley, and I would love to hear from anyone connected to SpaceX.)

Unless further information emerges regarding these cases, the field investigator's conclusion will be "Identified Flying Object."

In Conclusion

It is likely that the events of July 23rd, 2023, are tied to the SpaceX mission, with the smoke ring being linked to the satellite deployment. However, definitive proof remains elusive. Educating the public about these phenomena is essential.

To clarify further, reports intended for public consumption must not present casual assertions that viewers witnessed a launch, as this is inaccurate! They may have observed the second stage's burn, but not the launch itself.

Precision is crucial. The significance of the July 26, 2023, UFO Senate Hearing cannot be overstated, as it represents a disclosure regarding UFOs and non-human intelligence. The media's laid-back approach to UFO reporting is dismissive of a genuine phenomenon, particularly in a post-disclosure context. At least one photo includes a timestamp, potentially with GPS coordinates. A single video can convey numerous images, while two sets of videos from across the city allow for triangulation. Multiple reports from across Texas provide ample data for a comprehensive thesis. To trivialize this with casual commentary and incorrect information shows a lack of respect for an audience that is far more knowledgeable than the media often assumes.

The advent of social media enables us to engage in discussions that enhance our understanding, making us more informed than the journalists presenting the news. Yesterday's hearing serves as evidence that some individuals remain unwilling to listen. Ms. Foxx's questions to Grusch were valid, yet she interrupted him, insisting on emphasizing Kirkpatrick's claim of "no evidence for aliens." Such ignorance and contempt demonstrate a lack of attention to the proceedings. David Fravor and David Graves, under oath, clearly indicated that these phenomena are not of human origin.

If this sighting is unrelated to SpaceX, labeling it as such is a disservice. It complicates the identification of objects and deters individuals from reporting sightings, knowing they will not receive the respect they deserve. This level of carelessness not only leads to erroneous conclusions but also fosters distrust in the media, government, and corporations.

The public is far too sophisticated for simplistic explanations like "oh, that's just SpaceX." We need clarity: "At exactly 9:27 PM Central Time, the second stage of a SpaceX mission detached from the satellite train, creating a visible smoke ring observable over Texas and parts of Oklahoma." We require details such as altitude, timestamps, and data correlations.

It is imperative that we develop effective methods for sharing and communicating this information, which was the key message of yesterday's UFO hearing. All three witnesses concurred: we must improve our data collection to reach better-informed conclusions.

P.S.!

If you witnessed this event and have video evidence, I would be eager to hear from you!

P.S. Take a look at this sighting in Mexico that bears a striking resemblance to the one in Texas.