I thought it was a satellite until it got brighter then dimmed.

Tonight at 10:00 p.m., I went out to look at the stars and immediately saw what appeared to be a satellite moving from south to north.  After 5 or 6 seconds it became very bright, then it dimmed and there appeared to be a much dimmer light shoot out from the bottom.  A few seconds later it became bright again and a large burst of flame shot out in two directions and then it dimmed again.  
It moved along for another 6 to 8 seconds, became brighter and there was another burst of flame.  It then dimmed and moved further north out of visual range.  It looked very much like a satellite if not for the burst of flame and change in brightness.  A few moments later, I saw another light, which was clearly a satellite with no bursting flames or changes in brightness.