Case file · Sighting
Kourou launches seen as UFOs
Since the first Ariane rocket lifted off from the Guiana Space Centre on 24 December 1979, launches from Kourou have repeatedly produced 'UFO' reports, from northern Brazil to the Caribbean and, for upper stages, as far as North America.
1979 CE · 5.24, -52.77 · status: explained
The account
In August 2025 a spiral of light over the US east coast and Quebec was linked to an Ariane 6 upper stage launched from Kourou.
The sceptical view
Explained: exhaust plumes and fuel venting lit by the sun at high altitude.