Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record Card - 11 March 1960
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AI-Generated Summary
A 1960 sighting of an elongated, white object in orbit over Mather AFB was investigated as a potential satellite. The case was ultimately classified as having insufficient data to confirm the object's identity.
This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and associated military correspondence regarding an unidentified aerial object sighting on March 11, 1960, at Mather Air Force Base, California. The observer reported an elongated, white, non-burning object appearing to be in orbit at an altitude exceeding 100,000 feet. The object was sighted through a sextant at 32 degrees azimuth due north and disappeared on a heading of 150 degrees. The duration of the sighting was noted as being between Polarcs for two minutes. Military radar at the AC&W site at Mather AFB did not detect the object. Following the report, an evaluation was requested from AFCIN-1A2 to determine if the object could be an artificial satellite. The subsequent assessment suggested that the object was likely in orbit and potentially Sputnik 3, which had not yet decayed at the time of the sighting. However, due to a lack of confirming data from the Spacetrack program and missing duration details, the official conclusion for the case was listed as insufficient data.
All indications are that the object was in orbit. Sputnik 3 did not decay until April 6 so it is believed that this was the object, however since no confirming data was available, and the duration was not included in the report, the case is listed as insufficient data.
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Official Assessment
Request for satellite information sent to Spacetrack, however no reply was received. All indications are that the object was in orbit. Sputnik 3 did not decay until April 6 so it is believed that this was the object, however since no confirming data was available, and the duration was not included in the report, the case is listed as insufficient data.
The object was likely a satellite, possibly Sputnik 3, but insufficient data prevented a definitive conclusion.