Project 10073 Record Card and Related Correspondence — George AFB Sightings, May 1952

This document collection contains a Project 10073 record card regarding a sighting in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on May 9, 1952, which was described as a white, meteor-shaped object that arched down and exploded. The report concludes the object was likely a meteor. The file also includes a memorandum for record by Lt. E. J. Ruppelt detailing a trip to George AFB, California, from May 20-23, 1952, to investigate a series of nine sightings reported by military personnel between May 1 and May 20, 1952. Lt. Ruppelt coordinated with Major Vincent Wolrath of the 146th Fighter Bomber Wing to set up an observation team using a T-6 aircraft and ground-based radar and telescope equipment to monitor for further sightings. During an aerial search on May 21, 1952, the team observed an object that appeared to be a balloon, which was later confirmed to be a Rawinsonde balloon released from Edwards AFB. The investigation determined that many of the sightings at George AFB were likely attributable to these balloons, which were released irregularly from Edwards AFB and could be tracked over George AFB. The document includes detailed logs of balloon launches from Edwards AFB, including bearing, distance, and altitude data, to cross-reference with the reported sighting times. While some reports were successfully attributed to balloons, the memorandum notes that others remained under investigation. The file also contains copies of joint message forms requesting information on balloon launches to assist in the evaluation of these incidents.