PUBLIC RELEASE SOURCE REVIEW ยท INDEPENDENT ANALYTIC CASE FILE
CASE FILE 46 / 237UAP00337

237UAP00337

Radar/correlation-focused public UAP report; score 54

NORMAL-OBJECT FAVORED
Report No.UAP-OM-46-237UAP00337DispositionNORMAL-OBJECT FAVORED
Primary Case237UAP00337Generated2026-05-20 18:32 UTC
Report Time2024-01-13T20:26:00+00:00Observer29.45539, -98.24490
Source Case IDs237UAP00337

Abstract

This case file evaluates a reported UAP sighting against the available orbital-object layer. No compact same-launch group fully identifies the file by itself. The final disposition is assigned under a normal-object favored standard, where ordinary aerospace/orbital explanations are preferred when they reasonably fit the report.

This is a standalone independent analysis prepared from public-source records and public orbital datasets. It is not an official government determination, classification marking, or agency-authored report.

1. Executive Summary

237UAP00337 is assessed as normal-object favored because the available public evidence gives a case-specific ordinary-object candidate: strong ADS-B aircraft candidate N261WN B737 a284b5 at 17.4 km, azimuth 358.4 deg, elevation 30.26 deg, 1.67 min from report. Dense satellite presence alone is not treated as causation in this packet.

1.1 Key Findings

1.2 Bottom Line

NORMAL-OBJECT FAVORED: A case-specific ordinary-object candidate exists from source language, orbital geometry, launch-object context, or compact trajectory grouping. Dense ordinary sky traffic alone is not treated as causation.

2. Source Control

The source-control table identifies the public report records reviewed for this case and lists public access links where available. The table is included so this PDF remains interpretable when distributed by itself.

Case IDReport Date FieldFacility / TitleText ExtractPublic PDF Link
237UAP0033720:26 01/13/2024 Callsign: UAL1715 Origin: SATSAT Operator: UAL Operator Type: Commercialtext extract present237UAP00337.pdf

3. Original Report Evidence

Primary excerpt used for matchingAircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the right side while E bound at 7,000 feet, 16 NM SE of SAT. The unknown phenomenon was white and blue in color at approximately 7,000 feet. No evasive action. No impact to operation. The UAP was not observed on ATC facility radar system.
Report time used2024-01-13T20:26:00+00:00
Observer coordinate used29.45539, -98.24490
Observer source basisaviation_offset:16 NM SE of SAT (public text extract 237UAP00337)

4. Methodology

  1. Spacetime extraction. The report time and observer coordinate were extracted from the public text report and normalized to UTC. Aviation fixes/radials were resolved during earlier preprocessing where applicable.
  2. External object dataset. The object layer used historical Space-Track/TLE-derived public LEO catalog objects element rows. The analytic mode for this case is historical public LEO catalog objects element propagation and same-launch/designator sky grouping.
  3. Propagation. Orbital elements were propagated to the report minute and observer location. For launch-object checks, samples around the report minute were retained. For Starlink group checks, objects above the horizon were clustered by sky position and filtered for same-launch groupings.
  4. Comparison. The output was compared against the report's count of lights, direction cue, motion language, altitude/radar language, and whether the file itself already suggested a satellite explanation.
  5. Causation standard. Mere object presence above the horizon is treated as background context only. A normal-object disposition requires a case-specific causal fit, such as a named launch object, a compact same-launch trajectory group, or source language that directly supports that object class.
  6. Disposition assignment. Identified means a specific normal object fits the report spacetime and the hard reported features do not materially conflict. Normal-object favored means a case-specific ordinary aerospace/orbital candidate exists, but it is not a full named identification. Insufficient means the file is too thin to carry high anomaly value. High-value unresolved is used when radar, video, rapid maneuver, or multi-witness features remain after reasonable normal-object checks.

5. External Object Evidence

5.1 Search Volume and Density

This table is a screening layer only. Objects above the horizon show background opportunity; they do not establish causation unless a specific object or compact trajectory group matches the reported behavior.

public LEO catalog objects catalog IDs considered19577Historical element rows19577
Above horizon at report minute911At/above 10 deg430
Largest same-sky cluster430

No compact same-launch/designator group survived the report threshold. In this condition, satellite density remains context only and cannot by itself resolve a report with hard features.

5.2 Same-Launch / Same-Designator Candidate Groups

#Launch DateCountAzimuth SpanElevation SpanMotion LabelsMembers
No same-launch group identified.

5.3 Primary Group Members

ObjectNORADLaunchAzElRange kmApparent MotionElement Age h
No members available.

5.4 Bright-Sky Context: Top public LEO catalog objects Objects by Elevation

ObjectAzElRange kmApparent MotionLaunch Date
NORAD 20262132.0587.532282.53westward, setting89080C
NORAD 4942312.2886.571915.9eastward, setting70091AK
NORAD 10589309.6384.11507.14eastward, setting78005G
NORAD 25366174.6676.361694.44eastward, setting98036D
NORAD 45732194.8874.43567.34westward, setting20038C
NORAD 2889072.3274.11704.29eastward, setting05043A
NORAD 34797322.6472.72894.96eastward, setting93036ABA
NORAD 10619109.7670.132156.86eastward, setting76067AT
NORAD 50194116.4667.38581.72eastward, setting21125AQ
NORAD 19230343.4265.841811.92westward, rising78100Z
NORAD 1805332.8164.531499.0eastward, level65096B
NORAD 5347012.2663.28628.5eastward, setting22099F

5.5 Largest Sky Clusters

#CountAzimuth SpanElevation SpanMotion Labels
14300.4-359.8 deg10.01-87.53 degeastward, level, eastward, rising, eastward, setting, nearly fixed azimuth, rising, westward, level, westward, rising, westward, setting

5.6 Space-Track SATCAT Enrichment

Space-Track SATCAT metadata was pulled as a cached subset for NORAD catalog IDs appearing in this packet's evidence tables. This section adds owner/type/status context to the propagated object candidates.

Packet SATCAT subset rows5370Fetched2026-05-19T01:19:50+00:00
This case NORAD IDs checked30SATCAT rows matched30
Top ownersCIS: 12, US: 8, PRC: 3, UK: 2, BGR: 1, CZE: 1
Object typesPAYLOAD: 19, DEBRIS: 9, ROCKET BODY: 2

5.7 Space-Track Metadata for Top Propagated Objects

NORADObject NameTypeOwnerLaunch DateDecay Date
20262SL-14 R/BROCKET BODYCIS1989-09-28n/a
4942COSMOS 375 DEBDEBRISCIS1970-10-30n/a
10589COSMOS 982PAYLOADCIS1978-01-10n/a
25366COSMOS 2355PAYLOADCIS1998-06-15n/a
45732STARLINK-1466PAYLOADUS2020-06-132024-09-02
28890BEIJING 1 (TSINGHUA)PAYLOADPRC2005-10-27n/a
34797COSMOS 2251 DEBDEBRISCIS1993-06-16n/a
10619COSMOS 839 DEBDEBRISCIS1976-07-08n/a
50194STARLINK-3269PAYLOADUS2021-12-182026-03-05
19230SL-14 DEBDEBRISCIS1978-10-26n/a
1805DIAMANT R/BROCKET BODYFR1965-11-26n/a
53470STARLINK-4393PAYLOADUS2022-08-12n/a

5.9 NASA / NOAA / ADS-B Expansion Layer

This source layer adds free NASA context that was previously missing from most packet cases. It is contextual evidence; it does not replace aircraft, satellite, balloon, or radar causation tests.

Hour UTC2024011320
Cloud amount98.23%
Precipitation0.0 mm/hr
10 m wind6.34 m/s
Temperature18.66 C
Relative humidity31.24%
DONKI +/-1 dayCME: unavailable; FLR: unavailable; GST: unavailable; HSS: unavailable; IPS: unavailable; MPC: unavailable; RBE: unavailable; SEP: unavailable; WSAEnlilSimulations: unavailable

5.10 Horizons Sky Geometry Context

ObjectAzElApp Mag
Sun209.3033.22-26.78
Moon169.1542.32-7.21
Venus237.9810.37-3.99
Mars222.8322.191.37
Jupiter87.1620.85-2.48
Saturn157.1446.390.98

5.11 Free Source Availability and Remaining Work

LayerStatusCase-Specific Note
ADSB.lol historical release listingscreened/presentplanes-readsb-staging-0 1355.0 MiB; planes-readsb-prod-0 1356.0 MiB
ADSB tracks downloadednot yet exhaustedRequires targeted extraction from large daily history archives before claiming aircraft exhaustion.
NOAA GOES imagerynot yet exhaustedNeeded for cloud/lightning visual context.
NOAA GOES ABI/GLM manifestscreened/presentPublic S3 object availability for the report hour.
NOAA NEXRAD weather radarnot yet exhaustedWeather radar only; not ATC radar.
NOAA IGRA radiosondescreened/presentNeeded for balloon drift plausibility.
ASOS/METAR weather observationsscreened/presentNearest station surface observations around report time.

5.12 Weather, Imagery, and Balloon Query Plan

This plan identifies the concrete free sources needed for the next case-specific weather and balloon checks. These are not treated as completed exclusions until the data are downloaded and plotted.

GOES satelliteGOES16
GOES ABI prefixhttps://noaa-goes16.s3.amazonaws.com/ABI-L2-CMIPF/2024/013/20/
GOES GLM lightning prefixhttps://noaa-goes16.s3.amazonaws.com/GLM-L2-LCFA/2024/013/20/

5.13 Nearest Weather-Airport Candidates

StationNameDistance kmCoordinate
KRNDRandolph Air Force Base8.9029.53, -98.28
KSATSan Antonio International Airport23.4029.53, -98.47
KSSFStinson Municipal Airport25.6029.34, -98.47
KSKFLackland Air Force Base33.5029.38, -98.58
KBAZNew Braunfels National Airport33.9029.70, -98.04

5.14 Nearest Radiosonde Stations

StationNameDistance kmCoordinate
USM00072251CORPUS CHRISTI/INT.; TX.199.9027.78, -97.51
USM00072261DEL RIO/INT.; TX.259.1029.37, -100.92
USM00072249FORT WORTH; TX.386.4032.84, -97.30
USM00072250BROWNSVILLE/INT.; TX401.8025.92, -97.42
MXM00076394AEROP.INTERNACIONAL MONTERREY;444.5025.87, -100.23

5.15 ASOS/METAR Surface Weather Observations

surface visibility ranged 10-10 statute miles; no precipitation was reported in the retained observations; no low broken/overcast cloud ceiling was evident in the retained station observations. Surface ASOS/METAR observations describe airport-level weather and visibility; they do not by themselves prove conditions at the sighting altitude or line of sight.

StationDistance kmNearest obs UTCVis SMSkyWind deg/ktMETAR
KRND8.902024-01-13T20:55:00+00:0010.00FEW12000, SCT16000, BKN19000, M210.00 / 12.00KRND 132055Z AUTO 21012KT 10SM FEW120 SCT160 BKN190 18/01 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP140 T01780009 57032
KSAT23.402024-01-13T20:51:00+00:0010.00SCT18000, BKN25000, M, M220.00 / 7.00KSAT 132051Z 22007KT 10SM SCT180 BKN250 17/03 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP140 T01670028 56032
KSSF25.602024-01-13T20:53:00+00:0010.00CLR, M, M, M200.00 / 9.00KSSF 132053Z 20009G17KT 10SM CLR 20/02 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP142 T02000022 56035

5.16 NOAA IGRA Radiosonde Wind Profile

Nearest sounding implies mean 0-12 km wind drift toward 308.0 deg at 10.2 m/s; a passive balloon could drift about 73.4 km in two hours under this crude layer-average model. Radiosonde winds are sparse station soundings; balloon drift remains approximate without launch time, ascent rate, object altitude, and exact line-of-sight bearing.

StationNameDistance kmSounding UTCMean drift bearingMean speed m/s2h drift kmMax wind
USM00072251CORPUS CHRISTI/INT.; TX.199.902024-01-14T00:00:00+00:00308.0010.2073.4028.90 at 32381.00 m

5.17 NOAA GOES ABI/GLM Public File Manifest

GOES public S3 objects are listed for the report hour where available. This is an availability manifest, not yet a rendered satellite image.

SatelliteGOES16Bucketnoaa-goes16
ABI sample files12GLM sample files12

ABI sample objects:

GLM lightning sample objects:

5.18 ADSB.lol Historical Aircraft Track Extraction

This layer uses the downloaded ADSB.lol daily history archive to test actual aircraft tracks near the report coordinate and minute. It is not treated as a primary-radar substitute; it is a transponder/receiver-derived aircraft screen.

Archive window2024-01-13T19:11:00+00:00 to 2024-01-13T21:41:00+00:00Radius300.00 nmi
Trace files scanned26399Tracks retained1200
Support statusaircraft strong candidate presentBest-candidate noteordinary-object favored if the report's count, color, direction, and motion can be reconciled with the candidate track(s).
Strong candidates29Plausible candidates109
Reporting-aircraft tracks excluded1Weak candidates138

5.19 Top ADS-B Candidate Tracks

AircraftStatusScoreMin dist kmNearest dt minAlt ftAzEl
N261WN B737 a284b5strong aircraft candidate90.8117.000.1134975358.4030.26
N638TS P28A a85d2estrong aircraft candidate80.146.300.015200185.908.44
N38403 B739 a46c9astrong aircraft candidate78.5010.300.012125335.0014.19
N893UP BE30 ac5249strong aircraft candidate75.8421.800.142500018.0018.08
N228UV P28A a2008fstrong aircraft candidate75.8318.400.044925259.103.88
N380PA DA40 a45c90strong aircraft candidate73.452.200.05295035.401.76
N321RR BE55 a3738estrong aircraft candidate73.296.000.098000115.2021.96
N8605E B738 abd1e3strong aircraft candidate71.9631.000.022275297.401.04

6. Annotated Evidence Figure

Annotated orbital object figure
Generated figure copied from the local evidence-plot output. It is included as an analytic visualization, not as original sensor imagery.

7. Analytic Comparison

CriterionReport EvidenceAnalytic Treatment
Time constraint2024-01-13T20:26:00+00:00Directly used in propagation; this is a hard filter, not descriptive context.
Location constraint29.45539, -98.24490Directly used as observer point for azimuth/elevation/range computation.
Count / patternnot explicitNo compact same-launch count match; retained for unresolved report features.
Motion languagenot explicitApparent motion labels in the object table provide a plausible but not definitive comparison.
Radar / official checknot observed on ATC radarNo ATC radar return can be consistent with distant orbital objects or visual aircraft-light hypotheses, but it does not prove the match.
Analytic dispositionnormal-object237UAP00337 is assessed as normal-object favored because the available public evidence gives a case-specific ordinary-object candidate: strong ADS-B aircraft candidate N261WN B737 a284b5 at 17.4 km, azimuth 358.4 deg, elevation 30.26 deg, 1.67 min from report. Dense satellite presence alone is not treated as causation in this packet.

8. Caveats, Limitations, and Collection Gaps

Appendix A. Public Report Text Extracts

237UAP00337

SKYWATCH INCIDENT REPORT



PRIMARY CODE: UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENON
Date: 20:26 01/13/2024                     Callsign: UAL1715                          Origin: SAT
Status: Closed                             Aircraft: A320                             Destination: DEN
POD: DEN                                   Tail Number:                               New Destination:
Reporting Facility: SAT                    Operator: UAL                              Operator Type: Commercial
                                           Paged: YES                                 MOR Init: YES
                                                                                      MOR ID: SAT-M-2024/01/13-0002




REMARKS

Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the right side while E bound at 7,000 feet, 16 NM SE of SAT. The
unknown phenomenon was white and blue in color at approximately 7,000 feet. No evasive action. No impact to operation. The
UAP was not observed on ATC facility radar system.




SKYWATCH INCIDENT REPORT | DATE: 2024-01-13T20:26 | POD: DEN | PAGE 1 of 1

Appendix B. Computational Evidence Digest

This appendix preserves the principal computed values used in the assessment, shortened to the fields most relevant to audit and review.

{
  "report_time_utc": "2024-01-13T20:26:00+00:00",
  "source_excerpt": "Aircraft reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon off the right side while E bound at 7,000 feet, 16 NM SE of SAT. The unknown phenomenon was white and blue in color at approximately 7,000 feet. No evasive action. No impact to operation. The UAP was not observed on ATC facility radar system.",
  "historical_starlink_element_rows": 19577,
  "observer": {
    "lat": 29.455388688312738,
    "lon": -98.24489610608384,
    "source": "aviation_offset:16 NM SE of SAT (public text extract 237UAP00337)"
  },
  "case_id": "237UAP00337",
  "starlink_above_horizon_at_report_time": 911,
  "starlink_catalog_ids_considered": 19577,
  "largest_same-sky_cluster_count": 430,
  "starlink_at_or_above_10_deg": 430,
  "top_starlinks": [
    {
      "azimuth_deg": 132.05,
      "azimuth_plus_2m_deg": 9.75,
      "azimuth_plus_5m_deg": 6.35,
      "element_age_hours": 11.34,
      "element_epoch": "2024-01-14T07:46:09.500448+00:00",
      "elevation_deg": 87.53,
      "elevation_plus_2m_deg": 72.21,
      "elevation_plus_5m_deg": 46.46,
      "epoch_altitude_km": 505.2,
      "ground_track_bearing_deg": 3.8,
      "ground_track_label": "N",
      "launch_date": "89080C",
      "launch_designator": "89080C",
      "name": "NORAD 20262",
      "norad_id": "20262",
      "range_km": 2282.53,
      "sky_motion_label": "westward, setting",
      "subpoint_lat": 29.0173,
      "subpoint_lon": -97.6929
    },
    {
      "azimuth_deg": 312.28,
      "azimuth_plus_2m_deg": 20.14,
      "azimuth_plus_5m_deg": 25.33,
      "element_age_hours": 9.06,
      "element_epoch": "2024-01-14T05:29:39.565824+00:00",
      "elevation_deg": 86.57,
      "elevation_plus_2m_deg": 66.59,
      "elevation_plus_5m_deg": 39.87,
      "epoch_altitude_km": 625.9,
      "ground_track_bearing_deg": 27.63,
      "ground_track_label": "NNE",
      "launch_date": "70091AK",
      "launch_designator": "70091AK",
      "name": "NORAD 4942",
      "norad_id": "4942",
      "range_km": 1915.9,
      "sky_motion_label": "eastward, setting",
      "subpoint_lat": 29.9876,
      "subpoint_lon": -98.9202
    },
    {
      "azimuth_deg": 309.63,
      "azimuth_plus_2m_deg": 6.52,
      "azimuth_plus_5m_deg": 12.2,
      "element_age_hours": 10.3,
      "element_epoch": "2024-01-14T06:44:12.486048+00:00",
      "elevation_deg": 84.1,
      "elevation_plus_2m_deg": 57.85,
      "elevation_plus_5m_deg": 29.43,
      "epoch_altitude_km": 1470.76,
      "ground_track_bearing_deg": 14.86,
      "ground_track_label": "NNE",
      "launch_date": "78005G",
      "launch_designator": "78005G",
      "name": "NORAD 10589",
      "norad_id": "10589",
      "range_km": 1507.14,
      "sky_motion_label": "eastward, setting",
      "subpoint_lat": 30.1733,
      "subpoint_lon": -99.2486
    },
    {
      "azimuth_deg": 174.66,
      "azimuth_plus_2m_deg": 175.6,
      "azimuth_plus_5m_deg": 176.03,
      "element_age_hours": 0.1,
      "element_epoch": "2024-01-13T20:31:42.729888+00:00",
      "elevation_deg": 76.36,
      "elevation_plus_2m_deg": 51.28,
      "elevation_plus_5m_deg": 26.09,
      "epoch_altitude_km": 1310.96,
      "ground_track_bearing_deg": 176.2,
      "ground_track_label": "S",
      "launch_date": "98036D",
      "launch_designator": "98036D",
      "name": "NORAD 25366",
      "norad_id": "25366",
      "range_km": 1694.44,
      "sky_motion_label": "eastward, setting",
      "subpoint_lat": 26.6059,
      "subpoint_lon": -97.9484
    },
    {
      "azimuth_deg": 194.88,
      "azimuth_plus_2m_deg": 147.35,
      "azimuth_plus_5m_deg": 143.31,
      "element_age_hours": 0.64,
      "element_epoch": "2024-01-13T19:47:51.960480+00:00",
      "elevation_deg": 74.43,
      "elevation_plus_2m_deg": 26.35,
      "elevation_plus_5m_deg": 4.45,
      "epoch_altitude_km": 553.32,
      "ground_track_bearing_deg": 139.99,
      "ground_track_label": "SE",
      "launch_date": "20038C",
      "launch_designator": "20038C",
      "name": "NORAD 45732",
      "norad_id": "45732",
      "range_km": 567.34,
      "sky_motion_label": "westward, setting",
      "subpoint_lat": 28.2322,
      "subpoint_lon": -98.6119
    },
    {
      "azimuth_deg": 72.32,
      "azimuth_plus_2m_deg": 180.62,
      "azimuth_plus_5m_deg": 188.19,
      "element_age_hours": 0.68,
      "element_epoch": "2024-01-13T19:45:01.392192+00:00",
      "elevation_deg": 74.11,
      "elevation_plus_2m_deg": 37.09,
      "elevation_plus_5m_deg": 8.91,
      "epoch_altitude_km": 682.81,
      "ground_track_bearing_deg": 192.92,
      "ground_track_label": "SSW",
      "launch_date": "05043A",
      "launch_designator": "05043A",
      "name": "NORAD 28890",
      "norad_id": "28890",
      "range_km": 704.29,
      "sky_motion_label": "eastward, setting",
      "subpoint_lat": 29.9216,
      "subpoint_lon": -96.5251
    },
    {
      "azimuth_deg": 322.64,
      "azimuth_plus_2m_deg": 4.68,
      "azimuth_plus_5m_deg": 11.76,
      "element_age_hours": 8.55,
      "element_epoch": "2024-01-13T11:53:15.255744+00:00",
      "elevation_deg": 72.72,
      "elevation_plus_2m_deg": 36.89,
      "elevation_plus_5m_deg": 11.94,
      "epoch_altitude_km": 730.8,
      "ground_track_bearing_deg": 15.59,
      "ground_track_label": "NNE",
      "launch_date": "93036ABA",
      "launch_designator": "93036ABA",
      "name": "NORAD 34797",
      "norad_id": "34797",
      "range_km": 894.96,
      "sky_motion_label": "eastward, setting",
      "subpoint_lat": 31.1263,
      "subpoint_lon": -99.7358
    },
    {
      "azimuth_deg": 109.76,
      "azimuth_plus_2m_deg": 132.77,
      "azimuth_plus_5m_deg": 143.03,
      "element_age_hours": 6.25,
      "element_epoch": "2024-01-13T14:11:04.670592+00:00",
      "elevation_deg": 70.13,
      "elevation_plus_2m_deg": 54.65,
      "elevation_plus_5m_deg": 34.63,
      "epoch_altitude_km": 1013.1,
      "ground_track_bearing_deg": 157.14,
      "ground_track_label": "SSE",
      "launch_date": "76067AT",
      "launch_designator": "76067AT",
      "name": "NORAD 10619",
      "norad_id": "10619",
      "range_km": 2156.86,
      "sky_motion_label": "eastward, setting",
      "subpoint_lat": 27.6597,
      "subpoint_lon": -92.9501
    },
    {
      "azimuth_deg": 116.46,
      "azimuth_plus_2m_deg": 134.44,
      "azimuth_plus_5m_deg": 137.22,
      "element_age_hours": 0.63,
      "element_epoch": "2024-01-13T19:48:02.353536+00:00",
      "elevation_deg": 67.38,
      "elevation_plus_2m_deg": 22.79,
      "elevation_plus_5m_deg": 3.09,
      "epoch_altitude_km": 545.96,
      "ground_track_bearing_deg": 139.99,
      "ground_track_label": "SE",
      "launch_date": "21125AQ",
      "launch_designator": "21125AQ",
      "name": "NORAD 50194",
      "norad_id": "50194",
      "range_km": 581.72,
      "sky_motion_label": "eastward, setting",
      "subpoint_lat": 28.6128,
      "subpoint_lon": -96.356
    },
    {
      "azimuth_deg": 343.42,
      "azimuth_plus_2m_deg": 231.37,
      "azimuth_plus_5m_deg": 183.31,
      "element_age_hours": 12.76,
      "element_epoch": "2024-01-13T07:40:40.141056+00:00",
      "elevation_deg": 65.84,
      "elevation_plus_2m_deg": 83.28,
      "elevation_plus_5m_deg": 48.71,
      "epoch_altitude_km": 1680.12,
      "ground_track_bearing_deg": 175.17,
      "ground_track_label": "S",
      "launch_date": "78100Z",
      "launch_designator": "78100Z",
      "name": "NORAD 19230",
      "norad_id": "19230",
      "range_km": 1811.92,
      "sky_motion_label": "westward, rising",
      "subpoint_lat": 34.5144,
      "subpoint_lon": -100.0681
    },
    {
      "azimuth_deg": 332.81,
      "azimuth_plus_2m_deg": 46.79,
      "azimuth_plus_5m_deg": 81.91,
      "element_age_hours": 0.5,
      "element_epoch": "2024-01-13T19:55:42.560544+00:00",
      "elevation_deg": 64.53,
      "elevation_plus_2m_deg": 64.57,
      "elevation_plus_5m_deg": 37.05,
      "epoch_altitude_km": 517.99,
      "ground_track_bearing_deg": 98.17,
      "ground_track_label": "E",
      "launch_date": "65096B",
      "launch_designator": "65096B",
      "name": "NORAD 1805",
      "norad_id": "1805",
      "range_km": 1499.0,
      "sky_motion_label": "eastward, level",
      "subpoint_lat": 33.6831,
      "subpoint_lon": -100.8576
    },
    {
      "azimuth_deg": 12.26,
      "azimuth_plus_2m_deg": 192.08,
      "azimuth_plus_5m_deg": 192.45,
      "element_age_hours": 0.66,
      "element_epoch": "2024-01-13T19:46:33.972384+00:00",
      "elevation_deg": 63.28,
      "elevation_plus_2m_deg": 40.17,
      "elevation_plus_5m_deg": 7.83,
      "epoch_altitude_km": 568.98,
      "ground_track_bearing_deg": 192.37,
      "ground_track_label": "SSW",
      "launch_date": "22099F",
      "launch_designator": "22099F",
      "name": "NORAD 53470",
      "norad_id": "53470",
      "range_km": 628.5,
      "sky_motion_label": "eastward, setting",
      "subpoint_lat": 31.7416,
      "subpoint_lon": -97.6634
    }
  ],
  "adsb_l

Appendix C. Source Exhaustion Checklist

This checklist records which source layers were actually applied to this individual report. It separates checked evidence from unexhausted collection gaps so the disposition is auditable when the PDF is read alone.

Source LayerStatusCase-Specific Note
NARA public UAP/FAA reportreviewedSource IDs: 237UAP00337
Time and observer coordinateextracted2024-01-13T20:26:00+00:00 at 29.45539, -98.24490
Orbital object propagationscreenedpublic LEO catalog objects
Space-Track SATCAT metadatascreened30 NORAD IDs checked; 30 matched in local SATCAT subset
Launch-object/SupGP layernot applicablenot a launch-object case
NASA/JPL known small-body layernot selectedCAD/Horizons secondary screen included when this case had NEO-relevant timing/geometry
NASA POWER/Horizons/DONKI contextscreenedHourly weather, sky geometry, and space-weather context where local JSON is present
Aircraft/ADS-B layerscreened26399 trace files scanned; 1200 tracks retained; aircraft strong candidate present
NOAA GOES imagery layernot exhaustedCloud/lightning imagery layer for the report hour
NOAA GOES ABI/GLM manifestscreenedPublic S3 object listing for the report hour
NOAA/NEXRAD weather radar layernot exhaustedWeather radar only; not ATC/primary radar
NOAA IGRA radiosonde layerscreenedBalloon drift plausibility layer
ASOS/METAR surface weatherscreenedNearest station visibility, cloud, wind, precipitation, and METAR observations
Weather/balloon source planplannedNearest weather-airport, GOES, and radiosonde queries are listed where local plan JSON is present
Final analytic dispositionnormal-object favoredPresence-only satellite density is context only; a stronger case-specific fit is required for normal-object disposition

References and Source Links

  1. National Archives and Records Administration. Records Related to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) at the National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/research/topics/uaps
  2. National Archives and Records Administration. Record Group 615: Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Records Collection. https://www.archives.gov/research/topics/uaps/rg-615
  3. National Archives and Records Administration. Bulk Downloads for Records Related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs). https://www.archives.gov/research/catalog/catalog-bulk-downloads/uap-bulk-download
  4. National Archives Catalog. Records from the Federal Aviation Administration Relating to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, National Archives Identifier 493468575. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/493468575
  5. National Archives direct digital object. 237UAP00337.pdf, FAA UAP report record copied from RG 615 bulk digital objects. https://s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-615/493468575/237UAP00337.pdf
  6. Hugging Face dataset. oxzoid/space-track-tle-history: historical TLE archive used for public LEO catalog objects screening. https://huggingface.co/datasets/oxzoid/space-track-tle-history
  7. Space-Track.org. Public source for the underlying U.S. Space Surveillance Network TLE distribution referenced by the historical TLE archive. https://www.space-track.org/
  8. Space-Track.org. API documentation for SATCAT and catalog metadata classes used for local enrichment. https://www.space-track.org/documentation#/api
  9. NASA POWER. Hourly point API documentation for meteorological context. https://power.larc.nasa.gov/docs/services/api/temporal/hourly/
  10. NASA/JPL Solar System Dynamics. Horizons API documentation for observer geometry and apparent magnitude queries. https://ssd-api.jpl.nasa.gov/doc/horizons.html
  11. NASA. DONKI space weather API documentation. https://api.nasa.gov/
  12. ADSB.lol. Interactive API documentation and OpenAPI definition. https://api.adsb.lol/docs
  13. ADSB.lol. Historical open-data release documentation. https://www.adsb.lol/docs/open-data/historical/
  14. OpenSky Network. REST API documentation. https://openskynetwork.github.io/opensky-api/rest.html
  15. OpenSky Network. Historical data via Trino documentation. https://openskynetwork.github.io/opensky-api/trino.html
  16. NASA GIBS. Global Imagery Browse Services API documentation. https://nasa-gibs.github.io/gibs-api-docs/
  17. NASA Earthdata. Common Metadata Repository search API documentation. https://cmr.earthdata.nasa.gov/search/site/docs/search/api.html
  18. NOAA / AWS Open Data. GOES public dataset registry. https://registry.opendata.aws/noaa-goes/
  19. NOAA / AWS Open Data. NEXRAD public dataset registry. https://registry.opendata.aws/noaa-nexrad/
  20. NOAA NCEI. Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/weather-balloon/integrated-global-radiosonde-archive
  21. Iowa Environmental Mesonet. ASOS/AWOS/METAR data download service. https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/request/download.phtml
  22. CelesTrak. Spacetrack Report No. 3: Models for propagation of NORAD element sets. https://celestrak.org/NORAD/documentation/spacetrk.pdf
  23. CelesTrak. Supplemental GP element sets documentation and current endpoint index. https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/