[AstroNet] Bright light in the sky, Tuesday 11 December

[Willie Koorts]

Hi 

Just a quick update on the sighting of OTV-3 X-37B last night. 

It is now believed that it was not a fuel dump, but rather a retro (i.e. reverse) burn of both the Spaceplane and its accompanied 2nd stage rocket as can be seen in the attached which are frames from video taken by Greg Roberts. The retro burn for the 2nd stage was to de-orbit it. It is strange that OTV (Orbital Test Vehicle) also retro-fired at the same time and it is assumed it was to lower the orbit slightly. 

So far reports also came in from Stellenbosch, Vredendal, Noeniesput (Kalahari) and from the Cederberg where Ian Glass was busy with a presentation to the Scouts, causing quite a disruption! 

It sounds like Heloise is quite busy on the switchboard as was expected! 

Regards 
Willie 
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