Boeing Starliner Spacecraft Launch Lights Up Georgia Skies

ATLANTA, GA — Boeing launched its Starliner spacecraft capsule early Friday morning, lighting up the sky enough for Georgia residents to catch a glimpse, reports the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Atlanta resident Jeff Garland shared photos of the illumination to Patch’s Neighbor Posts section.

“I would love to know if anyone has an explanation for what I saw this morning on my way to work at approximately 6:45 a.m. east of Atlanta in Loganville …. ” he posted along with a photo.

Garland wrote that several drivers stopped on the side of the road to take video of the mysterious and luminous plume of vapor trail behind what appeared to be a large, slow-moving aircraft.

"The luminescent clouds continued to jettison from out the back side of the aircraft as it moved across the sky until suddenly the discharge ceased and the aircraft continued to move forward, although the sky was so dark that you could barely see the vehicle anymore," Garland shared with Patch. "However, the plume remained, and I took a few photos 5 or 10 minutes later of the vapor as it continued to dissipate."

According to the AJC, Boeing wants to send a manned crew to the International Space Station sometime next year. The historic launch took place at 6:36 a.m. EST at Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying Christmas gifts and treats for six ISS residents, among other items.

The mission was cut short when the Starliner burned too much fuel attempting to enter Earth's orbit, NASA said. It’ll remain in orbit for a time but won’t reach the space station.