Project 10073 Record Card and Incoming Message — Santa Barbara, California, May 1962

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and an associated Air Force incoming message regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon reported on May 19, 1962, at 0340Z. The sighting occurred in the vicinity of Santa Barbara, California, and Vandenberg Air Force Base. Witnesses, including military personnel from the Combat Defense Squadron and the 2035-1 Communications Detachment, as well as unidentified civilians, observed a brilliant white object with a red-orange flaming tail. The object was described as being slightly larger than a pea and was observed for less than 30 seconds as it descended rapidly toward the ground. Witnesses reported that the object appeared to strike the water near Goleta Point. The VAFB control tower reported that the light or flame disappeared prior to surface contact. Official inquiries confirmed that there was no aircraft activity, scheduled launches, or flare shots in the area at the time of the sighting. Weather conditions were reported as clear with no clouds, though there was haze in all quadrants. The control tower operator suggested the object was a shooting star, and the investigator noted that the position of the setting sun combined with the haze might have created a phenomenon resembling the described object. Ultimately, the investigator was unable to reach a positive identification.