NASA’s STS-96 was the first docking mission to the ISS flown by the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1999. The objective was to carry the Spacehab module – filled with cargo – up to the space centre ready for its first manned mission a year later. However, as the world watched on through a live stream of the ISS on TV, conspiracy theories quickly emerged over a number of objects floating around in space.

Amazon Prime’s “Secret Space series” claimed more than 20 UFOs were spotted on the feed as Discovery passed over a thunderstorm in Florida, US. Presenter Jeff Challender revealed in 2017: “In my personal opinion this is possibly the most important UFO footage I have ever captured. “On June 4, 1999, the STS-96 resupply mission to the ISS had just finished. “The crew were enjoying some much-deserved rest and were asleep during this incident.

The anomalies were spotted from the ISS stream

Discovery was visiting ISS in 1999

Watch as a number of anomalies dive into the clouds after they decelerate Jeff Challender

“As Discovery sailed past Florida, the pass took them nearly parallel to the East Coast of the United States. “Potent thunderstorms were in progress below and as the shuttle flew over, the low-light night camera caught sight of 21 anomalies.” The documentary went on to circle a number of unknown objects during the broadcast, before revealing how the feed was suddenly cut. Mr Challender continued: “At all times during these events the payload bay camera was under the control of the Instrument and Communication Officer (INCO).

The ISS has been constantly manned since 2000

Dscovery took off from Kennedy Space Centre

“Watch as a number of anomalies dive into the clouds after they decelerate – something meteors never do. “The INCO decides to try and fool us with the camera, by panning around. “Then he gives it back to us, zooms in for a closer look, then cuts the feed and leaves a screen full of interference."