Project 10073 Record Card and Related Correspondence — March 1961

This document collection contains a series of Project 10073 record cards and related military correspondence from April 1961, primarily concerning sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena in the Pacific region. The core of the reports involves multiple sightings by aircrews of the 552nd AEW C Wing, specifically aircraft identified as 'Ethan 29', 'Ethan 46', and 'Ethan 31'. These crews reported observing a bright, round object that appeared to descend in a straight line, changing color from white to green to red, and eventually deteriorating or fading. The military investigation concluded that these sightings were consistent with the reentry of the satellite 1961 Epsilon 2, which occurred between 30 March and 2 April 1961. The reports include detailed technical data, such as coordinates, altitude, and radar information, which indicated the presence of a surface vessel in the vicinity of the sightings. Additionally, the document includes correspondence between the Air Force and the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), as well as inquiries from the Dr. Rudolf Steiner Research Foundation regarding UFO reports and NORAD procedures. The Air Force consistently maintained a dismissive stance toward these inquiries, citing that they had already provided all available information and that the organization in question was known for promoting science fiction and anti-Air Force sentiment. The file also contains photographs of an object taken over Japan on 31 March 1961, which were submitted for evaluation. The overall narrative reflects the Air Force's systematic effort to categorize anomalous aerial sightings as either natural phenomena, satellite reentries, or misidentifications, while simultaneously managing public and organizational inquiries with skepticism.