Project 10073 Record Card and Related Correspondence — Keesler AFB, Mississippi, April 1962

This collection of documents details the recovery of balloon debris near Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, in April 1962. The incident was logged under Project 10073. Initial reports described the discovery of a large, unmarked balloon made of polyethelene material, weighing between 1000 and 1500 pounds. The Foreign Technology Division (FTD) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base requested detailed information regarding the size, payload, and markings of the object to determine if further analysis was required. Keesler AFB personnel responded that the material appeared to be from a high-altitude research balloon and noted that a tube found with the debris was likely used for inflation. There was no evidence of a payload. Subsequent internal memoranda indicate that the balloon belonged to Captain Joe Kittinger, who was engaged in high-altitude research. Arrangements were made to return the material to him. Dr. J. Allen Hynek was also notified of the situation. The documents consist of a Project 10073 record card, a joint message form from FTD, and follow-up teletype communications between Keesler AFB, FTD, and other Air Force commands, concluding with the identification of the object as a research balloon.