Project 10073 Record Card - Sighting Report 25 Sep 61

This document is a Project 10073 record card and associated teletype reports detailing an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed on September 25, 1961. The sighting occurred near Anathan Island, north of Saipan, at coordinates 1647N 14539E. The primary witnesses were Captain Richard M. Butler, the aircraft commander of a KC-97, and his co-pilot, Lieutenant Bruce H. Rowland. The object was described as a cylindrical mass of flame, tapering slightly, and approximately the size of a grapefruit. It was orange in color and exhibited no smoke, though it did trail flame slightly. The object was observed for approximately 3 to 4 seconds, moving in a straight and level trajectory before fading or burning out while heading in an easterly direction. The observers noted that the sky was clear and the moon was shining, and they explicitly stated their belief that the object was not a natural phenomenon. The report was evaluated by Captain Edward J. Pilecki, an Air Intelligence Officer with the 320ARS. The initial intelligence analysis suggested that the sighting might have been the re-entry of a space vehicle. The document includes technical details regarding the flight path, weather conditions, and the observers' professional reliability, which was noted as excellent.