Sighting of Explorer XV launch from the Atlantic

Summary

A British freighter, the MV "Boyhill", observed the launch of satellite Explorer XV from 50 miles east of Cape Canaveral. The witness described a bright orange ball of light on the horizon, with a multicolored tail of red, white, and blue. Initially blocked by clouds, the rocket reappeared at around 40 degrees elevation, heading east. Finally, a faint white streak was seen before it disappeared. The observation was confirmed as the actual launch of Explorer XV, which entered orbit on October 27, 1962.