Re: this is happening with alarming frequency

It's most likely a new drive for trips to others planets in our solar system.

A ram jet would be my thinking.

We had this several years ago with the multiple "sonic" booms.

It included falling pieces of material that were on fire as they fell.

(Scared the hell out of the first time I saw it)

Fortunately, they seem to burn themselves out before hitting the ground.

They were most likely losing some of the containment material when the drive "ignited".

Gotta have a hell of a kick!

GS