Declassified UFO / UAP Document
PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD — Santa Maria, California, 6 January 1957
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AI-Generated Summary
A 17-year-old GOC observer in Santa Maria, California, reported a fast-moving, orange, cigar-shaped object on January 6, 1957. Military authorities investigated the sighting as a probable aircraft, checking for local F-104 activity.
This document consists of a Project 10073 Record Card and an associated military teletype report regarding an Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sighting that occurred on January 6, 1957, in Santa Maria, California. The primary witness was a 17-year-old student and member of the Ground Observer Corps (GOC). The witness reported observing a single object for approximately 20 seconds. The object was described as having a contradictory shape, characterized as both a 'cigar' and a 'round ball,' with a 'silver dollar' surface appearance. It was noted to be orange in color with a 'bluish extension' and was described as a 'pulsating drum.' The witness explicitly stated that the object lacked wings or a tail. The object was observed moving from the northeast to the south at an estimated altitude of 15,000 feet, with the witness noting that it appeared to be moving faster than a jet. The observation was made using binoculars. The report was processed by the 669th ACWRON and forwarded to the Air Defense Command at Ent AFB, Colorado, and the Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson AFB. Senior Director 1st Lt. Harold J. Schmidt Jr. noted that he checked with the 27th Air Division to determine if an F-104 aircraft was in the vicinity at the time of the sighting. The official conclusion recorded on the card is 'Probable a/c sighting.' The weather conditions at the time were reported as clear with scattered clouds.
Shape described is contradictory i.e. cigar shaped round ball. Did not appear to have any wings or tail, looked orange color with bluish extension.
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Official Assessment
Probable a/c sighting.
The object was described as a cigar-shaped round ball with no wings or tail, orange in color with a bluish extension. It was observed moving from the northeast to the south at an estimated altitude of 15,000 feet, moving faster than a jet. Binoculars were used by the observer.
Key Persons
- Harold J. Schmidt Jr.Senior Director