Sighting Report of a Space Projectile — Kvicksund, Sweden, August 11, 1946

On August 12, 1946, Erik Barkman, a candidate, submitted a report to the Swedish Military Staff's Air Defense Department regarding an aerial sighting that occurred on the evening of August 11, 1946. At 20:46, from the location of Kvicksund, Barkman observed a 'space projectile' under perfectly clear weather conditions. The object was visible for only one to two seconds and emitted a white light. Barkman estimated that the object originated from a very high altitude, as it would have been spotted earlier had it been lower. The projectile traveled in a northerly direction at a very high velocity, traversing a large sector of the sky—approximately 300 streck—in a very short duration. The object possessed a 'fire tail' and appeared to undergo an explosion, which increased the size of the tail and caused the body to experience a discontinuous increase in speed. The object was subsequently obscured by a roof, which prevented further observation of its flight or any potential impact. Barkman speculated that the observed explosion might have been a disintegration of the body, resulting in a glowing fragment breaking off. He concluded his report by stating that he had not reported the incident to any other authority or the press, and did not intend to do so.