Now the material is a decade and a half old. Although it has been the topic of many discussions, we mention this event, as it is part of the NASA 20th Century collection.

In the STS-48 footage there are several objects which are of interest. The main object is the one that seems to appear from the clouds on the horizon, and then travel just below the limb of the Earth, from bottom right to top left. As the object moves, we can see two quick flashes (which NASA have said are adjuster rockets). Then the object moves off at a 45 degree angle, and at great speed, into open space.

NASA have said that this object is nothing more than "ice" or "debris" that was blown away by the RCS (Reaction Control System) jets that were firing. They have said nothing about the mystery "streaks" that seem to zip directly toward this object as it alters course, and takes off.

Our friend and researcher Jeff takes a closer look at the footage.

Andy Ellis - Director Yorkshire UFO Info

NASA further claims that all directional changes in the motion of these objects are caused by an automated firing of the aft RCS jets aboard the shuttle. To be sure, SOME of what is observed in the videos IS ice, and debris. There is no doubt that an RCS jet did fire during the time frame in question. NASA has the computer records to prove this. However, NASA's blanket explanation of the events, based on these facts, doesn't cover everything which took place.

Let's take another look at the video of what is known as event #2, the most famous. This scene, shot from the aft payload bay camera, was taken at local sunrise over the Philippine Islands. South is up, the Sun is to viewer's left, we see the limb of Earth, some stars over the horizon, and a series of bright objectsabove the dark portion of Earth. Some of these bright dots are dirt on the camera lens. Some others aredrifting ice and or debris. These pop into view as the sun comes up. Then, a new object seems to rise up out of the clouds near the western limb of the Earth. I believe it is much further away because it appears so much later than the debris cloud. .

As this object travels south, and gains altitude, a flash is seen from the aft direction of Discovery. Shuttle computer records verify that this flash is an RCS jet firing, which is done periodically to MAINTAIN ship's attitude. Thus, there is no noticeable change relative to the horizon. Some of the objects in view appear to respond to the expanding exhaust plume, and are appropriately diverted from their previous course. However, the distant object suddenly veers 135 degrees and speeds out into space, followed by two streaks, one of which might have hit it had it not moved out of the way.

NASA claims that the relative motion of this object is caused by the RCS jet firing. For several reasons, this makes no sense. The RCS jets are mounted on the extreme nose and tail of the Shuttles. They fire vertically, and horizontally. In the vacuum of space, the exhaust plume expands upward in a teardrop shape. The aft thrusters are some 20 to 25 feet away from the camera, and even further away from the debris field. Objects nearer than the controversial one are barely affected. The RCS firing could not have greatly influenced our anomalous object at the distance it MUST be from the jet plume. Therefore, I conclude that the object must be independently propelled.

There are two streaks of light which seem to be aimed at the object in question. It has been claimed that these streaks are some kind of new particle beam or laser weapon. Granted, the streaks do resemble a weapon salvo. But, they can not be lasers or particle beams. Both these type of beams move at the speed of light, which would render them invisible in space. At best, they would appear to the human eye as a solid shaft (Like A Star Trek Phaser Beam), rather than a visible package seen to move from left to right at a 45-50 degree angle. Further, these angles preclude their origin being the RCS jet firing way back on the tail of the ship. Therefore, I conclude that the streaks are something other than energy weapons. I know of no missile technology capable of moving at the velocities observed in the video.

So we are left with what? If these are alien craft, perhaps they are shooting at each other for some unknown reason. In any case, something strange and unidentified with any Earth based phenomenon took place. And NASA are using the demonstrable fact that some of the objects and occurrences are linked to ice, dirt, and control jets to dismiss the entire event.

Something is being deliberately being covered up here.

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At the end of the day, it's up to YOU to draw your own conclusions.

© 2000 Jeff Challender