Night of 30–31 March 1993 / T174
The Cosford wave and the Cosmos 2238 rocket re-entry
Southwestern and central England, including RAF Cosford and RAF Shawbury
Witness account
A succession of reports during the night of 30–31 March 1993 described unusual lights over Britain, with sightings by police and military personnel adding to official interest. RAF Cosford and Shawbury became associated with the episode. Ministry of Defence correspondence records an initial concern that something might have crossed British airspace without identification.
Public record
Released files and the National Archives’ explanatory material document more than thirty reports across several hours and a radar review that did not establish a corresponding anomalous aircraft. A prominent part of the display was subsequently associated with the re-entry of the rocket body from Cosmos 2238.