I saw something very like this is a few years ago in the North of Scotland and after some moments of wonder I did assume it was a contrail from a missile launch

I saw something very like this is a few years ago in the North of Scotland and after some moments of wonder I did assume it was a contrail from a missile launch - not at all a familiar event but there where some air bases in the region, and this shimmering plume extending through the frosty night sky into space begged an explanation.