Project 10073 Record Card — Kirksville, Missouri, 22 Jan 62

This document is a Project 10073 record card and associated analysis sheets detailing a radar-only sighting of an unidentified aerial phenomenon near Kirksville, Missouri, on January 22, 1962. The incident occurred at 12:45 local time and lasted for one hour and five minutes. The object was detected by the 750th AC&W Squadron using an FPS-6A height-finder radar. According to the report, the object initially appeared on radar at approximately half the size and strength of a normal aircraft return. It was first sighted at an altitude of 72,000 feet and was observed ascending to 80,000 feet. Subsequently, the object began a steady descent at a rate of 1,500 feet per minute, maintaining a heading of 055 degrees and an approximate speed of 100 knots. The radar tracking ceased once the object descended to an altitude of 9,000 feet. The report notes that there was only one object observed and no photographs were taken. The evaluation, conducted by personnel including 1st Lt. Edward K. Fuge, concluded that the performance characteristics of the target, when compared against wind reports, indicated that the object was most likely a weather balloon. The document includes technical data regarding the atmospheric conditions at the time, such as wind speeds and directions at various altitudes, and confirms the sighting was reported in accordance with Air Force Regulation 205-1.