Bright point over Nantes identified as stratospheric balloon, 1982

Summary

On 10 June 1982, air traffic control staff at Nantes Château-Bougon airport and several pilots noticed a bright stationary point in the sky. It remained visible for an extended period. The investigation determined it was most likely a CNES stratospheric balloon launched from Gap, drifting at 30,000–40,000 metres altitude after releasing its payload. GEIPAN classified the case as B, considering the phenomenon identified.