PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD - Sighting at China Lake, California, 5 October 1956

This document contains a Project 10073 record card and associated correspondence regarding a UFO sighting reported by a civilian at the U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Station in China Lake, California. On the night of October 5, 1956, at approximately 10:48 P.M. PST, the witness observed a group of eight luminous objects traveling from north to south. The witness described the objects as appearing like spots of light with faintly luminous rings, noting that they wavered in flight similar to a flock of birds. The entire event lasted approximately nine seconds. The witness, who explicitly mentioned being influenced by Major Donald E. Keyhoe's book 'Flying Saucers from Outer Space,' reported the incident to the United States Air Force. Official evaluation by the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) concluded that the objects were likely meteors, noting that aircraft were ruled out due to the short duration of the sighting. The possibility of light reflections on birds was also suggested as a potential explanation. A follow-up letter from Captain Robert E. O'Connor of the USAF acknowledged the report, noting that the witness was located in an area surrounded by flight-test stations and airfields, and assured the witness that the matter would be given proper study.