I didn't know what I was seeing. I was on the way home from work, Tuesday October 21, 2008, heading south on I-5 from Seattle to Federal Way, WA. I was near or had just passed the Kent, WA exit and to the south and slightly to the west I saw what appeared to be a rocket heading almost straight up, moving from a southwest origin and seeming, by the long white tail it left, to be moving a little to the east as it headed up; but very far off in the distance.

I took a double take and immediately countered my first impression thinking it must instead be some kind of aircraft high up in the atmosphere and it only 'appeared' to move nearly straight up. I mean, if a rocket was being launched today, wouldn't I hear it on the radio news I had been listening to on the way home?

I looked at nearby cars briefly and no one seemed to notice it. I looked again at the object and noticed it had to be moving very, very fast if it was as far away as it seemed. I scratched my head in almost disbelief, not knowing what this was.

Later, as I was home and reading internet news I saw that India had launched its first moon mission and that the time given in the article coincided very nearly with the time I saw my mystery object in the southwestern sky. I almost fell out of my chair when I realized that was exactly what I saw! Wow!

This is amazing that I saw India's rocket in flight on its way to the moon. I am still excited over the incredible sight I saw. I shall never forget it. What a piece of history this was.