Project 10073 Record Card — Bitburg AB, Germany, 13 Dec 60

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and associated military message traffic regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon reported on December 13, 1960, near Bitburg Air Base, Germany. A civilian witness observed a single object for two hours and twenty-five minutes, moving from horizon to horizon in an East-West direction. The witness described the object as being more brilliant than stars, featuring red, green, and white flickering lights. The observer noted that the object's movement was too slow to be an aircraft. The report was initially processed by Detachment 1 of the 31st Weather Squadron at Bitburg Air Base. Following the report, the Space Track Control Center at L.G. Hanscom Field, Massachusetts, conducted an assessment and concluded that the object was not an identifiable earth satellite or space probe. The Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) reviewed the report and determined that the information provided was too limited to conduct a definitive analysis. Consequently, ATIC requested that a further investigation be conducted in accordance with Air Force Regulation 200-2. The record card notes that a request for additional information was sent to the reporting unit, but no reply was received. The final documentation includes a message from Colonel Philip G. Evans, Deputy for Science and Components, directing the follow-up investigation.