[hinckley buzzard]

Watching the tape it is clear that there is only one exhaust trail. It might have been a single engine fighter with the afterburner on, but where did it take off from, 35 miles out to sea?

I've been watching missiles(rockets) for the entire space age, ever since Vanguard and Farsides, and this was a missile.

[bitterohiogunclinger]

“I've been watching missiles(rockets) for the entire space age, ever since Vanguard and Farsides, and this was a missile.”

I respectfully disagree. Watch the helicopter in the foreground and you get a better perspective of the acceleration, and it's not accelerating. No big flame from rocket motors, just a glint from sun reflecting off of a shiny aircraft at altitude.