SOURCE: Imprimatur. com
DATE: February 25, 2003
BALLOONS (NOT UFOs) BEGIN CROSSING SOUTH AMERICA
Luis Eduardo Pacheco reports that a brillant object reported for two
hours in the skies over Calama, Chile on the evening of Friday, February
21, 2003 corresponded to the transit of the second MIR balloon launched
from Bauru (Brazil) within the framework of the HIBISCUS campaign,
aimed at researching atmospheric ozone in the tropics.
The news item (in Spanish) can be see at:
http://www.estrellanorte.cl/site/home/20030221234413.html
While the transit of the balloon over a fair share of Brazil and
Bolivia took place in broad daylight, it was hardly seen due to overcast
conditions which prevailed over the region. The only unclouded area was
northern Chile, where it was indeed possible to see it. This can be easily
ascertained by viewing the GOES-8 photographs on the evening of Feb.
21.
A new launch occurred yesterday (02/24). This third balloon is currenly
flying over Bolivia and could enter Chilean airspace during the day,
which will likely give rise to new sightings in the area.
The first balloon was launched on 2/19, but due to a leak experienced
at an altitude of 16 kilometers, the flight was interrupted.
It can be seen that the pattern of February 2001 is being repeated. At
that time, the same balloons caused several false UFO alarms.
At least one more balloon launch is expected in coming days. I will
apprise you of the event.
Regards to all,
Luis Eduardo Pacheco.
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Translation (C) 2003. S. Corrales, Institute of Hispanic Ufology (IHU).