Project 10073 Record Card — Pepperrell AFB, Newfoundland, 19 December 1957

On 19 December 1957, at 2302Z, personnel at Pepperrell AFB, Newfoundland, observed an unidentified aerial object. The sighting was reported by S/Sgt Robert G. Frounfelker and A/3C Michael P. Dougherty, both of the 64th CONADCC. The object was described as egg-shaped, red in color, and approximately the size of a pea. It was tracked both visually and by radar. Although initially reported as stationary, the object was observed to move 1.5 nautical miles to the northeast over an 8-minute period. Weather conditions were reported as clear with unlimited visibility. Five photographs were taken of the radar scope, but upon development, they showed no object. The official evaluation concluded that the object was a balloon, noting that the flight pattern and description were consistent with balloon analysis, provided that upper air currents had shifted. Subsequent correspondence between the 64th CONADCC and the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) confirmed that the films were developed with negative results and that the evaluation was not attempted in detail due to the distance from the scene and lack of personal contact with the observers. A handwritten note on the final page suggests a possible identification as Venus, though the official record card maintains the balloon conclusion.