Unidentified Flying Object Report (UFO) — 2 May 1958, Spain

This document is a Project 10073 record card and accompanying correspondence regarding an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) sighting reported on 2 May 1958, in Spain. The observer, S/Sgt Williard E. Bryant, reported seeing a shooting star-type object that resembled a bright star. The object was observed for one minute and thirty seconds, moving in a straight flight path, and was described as being at an extremely high, incalculable altitude. The observer noted that the light of the object faded out gradually as it disappeared. The report includes details on the weather conditions, which were clear with unlimited visibility and a full moon. Capt. Randolph J. Spiett, an Intelligence Officer with the 16th Air Force, noted that the observer's credibility was high, but pointed out that the sighting of two actual shooting stars shortly before the UFO sighting was significant. Consequently, the report was initially interpreted as a negative UFO sighting. Subsequent analysis by ATIC suggested that the object was likely the satellite 1958 Gamma, which was known to be visible during that period. The document includes a list of satellite orbital data for various locations, including Madrid, Spain, to support this conclusion. The final assessment, annotated on the document, concurs with the reporting officer's conclusion that the event was likely an astronomical phenomenon.