Project 10073 Record Card and Associated Correspondence — August 1959

This document collection details a sighting reported on August 14, 1959, by personnel aboard the Frying Pan Lightship, located at coordinates 33-28N 77-04W off the coast of South Carolina. At approximately 1934 local time, observers reported a rocket firing in a southwesterly direction, which then climbed rapidly in a northeasterly direction. The object was described as having vapor trails and erratic smoke clouds. As it climbed, it appeared to separate into two distinct lighted objects. Later, at 1943R, another stage appeared to fire, and at 2004R, 2005R, and 2027R, three dull red flashes were observed on the southern horizon. The report was transmitted through military channels, including CINCNORAD and ATIC at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. An investigation was initiated to determine if a missile launch from a nearby facility could account for the report. A subsequent communication from the Commander of the Air Force Missile Test Center (AFMTC) confirmed that a Juno missile had indeed been launched at 150031Z, which aligned with the timing and trajectory of the reported phenomena. The case was subsequently closed with the conclusion that the sighting was a verified missile launch.