PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD — 18 December 1956

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and associated teletype communications regarding a sighting that occurred on 18 December 1956 in Orlando, Florida. A civilian witness reported observing a white, rocket-shaped object at 0330Z. The object was described as an elongated light emitting sparks, appearing to be half the size of a dime held at arm's length. The witness noted that fire was visible from the tail of the exhaust. The object originated from the horizon and climbed at a 35-degree angle before fading out of sight after a duration of one minute and 30 seconds. The weather conditions at the time were reported as having scattered clouds with excellent visibility. The teletype correspondence indicates that the report was processed through the 617th AC&W Squadron at MacDill AFB and forwarded to the 38th Air Division and the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) at Wright-Patterson AFB. The official conclusion reached by the evaluating authorities was that the sighting was caused by a guided missile, likely launched from Patrick AFB, Florida. The report explicitly notes that there was no aircraft activity in the area for 10 minutes prior to the sighting.