Project 10073 Record Card and UFO Report — Orlando, Florida, 25 May 1960

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and an associated UFO report regarding a sighting that occurred on 25 May 1960 near Bear Lake, 15 miles northwest of Orlando, Florida. The witness, a civilian engineer, reported observing a round, white, star-like object for approximately two minutes. The object was first sighted at an elevation of 60 degrees in the direction of 270 degrees and disappeared at an elevation of 40 degrees in the direction of 285 degrees. The witness noted the object maintained a constant speed and traveled from a southeast to northwest direction. No optical aids were used during the observation. The weather conditions at the time were reported as fair with high thin broken clouds and ten-mile visibility. The report was submitted by the 321st Bomb Wing in accordance with AFR 203-2. The initial comments on the record card suggested the object could not be a satellite due to its direction of flight, and it was possibly a high-flying aircraft. However, the final intelligence assessment included in the report concludes that the sighting was likely an earth satellite in orbit, referencing the SAC Basic Intelligence Planning Guide. A follow-up memorandum dated 15 June 1960 from Colonel Richard R. Shoop of AFCIN-4E2 requests that the office determine if the report was indeed caused by an artificial satellite. The document also notes that if satellites were included under the definitions of AFR 203-2, this category of UFO report would not be required.