Project 10073 Record Card — Terre Haute, Indiana, 13 August 1960

This document contains a collection of correspondence and technical reports regarding a UFO sighting reported by a member of the Terre Haute Moonwatch team on August 13, 1960. The witness, who was actively monitoring the sky for the Echo I satellite, observed two white objects with a slight yellowish cast traveling from the northeast to the southwest. The witness reported that the objects appeared similar to a satellite but were moving in the opposite direction of Echo I. The observation lasted for one minute and 48.5 seconds. The witness, who was using 10x binoculars, noted that the objects made no sound and appeared to be the size of an object between a pin and a pea at arm's length. Following the sighting, the witness contacted the Air Force to report the event. The Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) conducted an analysis of the report and concluded that the objects were likely two high-flying jet aircraft. The official Air Force response, signed by Lt. Colonel Lawrence J. Tacker, explained that it is possible to see the lights of high-flying aircraft at night without being able to resolve their outline, even with binoculars. The report suggests that the lights observed were likely the bright running lights on the bottom of the aircraft. The document includes the original Project 10073 record card, the witness's detailed questionnaire, and subsequent correspondence between the witness and the Air Force. The witness expressed skepticism regarding the aircraft explanation, citing the speed of the objects and the lack of noise, but the Air Force maintained that the high volume of air traffic in the area made it impossible to identify the specific aircraft involved. The file also highlights the witness's involvement in the Research and Education Committee on Aerial Phenomena, a local UFO research group, which the Air Force noted in its internal communications.