PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD - 18 August 1958

This document is a Project 10073 record card and associated teletype report regarding a UFO sighting on 18 August 1958, five miles west of Bismark, North Dakota. The witness, a postal clerk, observed a white, balloon-like object high overhead for approximately 40 minutes. The object was described as being stationary initially, then moving slowly to the east, accompanied by a bright flash followed by a white glow. The observer utilized binoculars during the sighting. Military authorities, including the 78th ACWRON, investigated the report. The official conclusion reached by the Air Technical Intelligence Center was that the object was a balloon. This determination was supported by local balloon launching schedules and wind direction data, which were consistent with the object's observed movement. Additionally, it was noted that the sighting occurred near the time of the arrival of Spudnik III. J.R. Harrison, the Senior Director on duty, suggested that the visual phenomena might have been caused by reflections from the Spudnik rocket or the moon on clouds. A scramble of aircraft (Campaign 9, F8SJ) resulted in negative findings, with pilots suggesting that light reflecting from clouds could have been the cause of the sighting.