Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record Card and Related Incoming Messages — 13 August 1962
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AI-Generated Summary
Reports from the Coast Guard Cutter Triton and the SS Carl Schmedeman regarding a bright aerial object were investigated under Project 10073. The phenomenon was officially identified as the atmospheric decay of Satellite 316.
This document collection consists of a Project 10073 record card and several Department of the Air Force incoming staff messages dated 13 August 1962. The primary subject is the report of an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed in the Gulf of Mexico. The Coast Guard Cutter Triton reported sighting a brilliant, round-like object with a yellow/white, meteor-like tail between 0336Z and 0338Z at position 19-57N 90-38.5W. The object was described as traveling at a medium altitude, parallel to the surface, with a speed comparable to a jet aircraft. A second report from the SS Carl Schmedeman at 0342GMT (position 23-22N 88-17W) described a similar object moving rapidly across the sky with a steady red/white trail, disappearing at 10 degrees above the horizon. The official evaluation recorded on the Project 10073 card concludes that the sighting was the result of the decay of Satellite 316 (SPADAT Object 316), which was confirmed to be over the Gulf of Mexico at the time of the reports. The document includes technical data regarding satellite orbital crossings and distribution lists for various military and intelligence agencies, including the CIA, NSA, and DIA.
Sighting has elements of Satellite 316 decay, SPADAT Obj 316 decayed during this period and was over the Gulf of Mexico at the rptd time. Case evaluated as decay of this obj.
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Official Assessment
Sighting has elements of Satellite 316 decay, SPADAT Obj 316 decayed during this period and was over the Gulf of Mexico at the rptd time. Case evaluated as decay of this obj.
The sighting was identified as the decay of Satellite 316 (SPADAT Object 316) over the Gulf of Mexico.
Witnesses
- Crew of Coast Guard Cutter TritonUnited States Coast Guard
- Crew of SS Carl SchmedemanMerchant Marine
Key Persons
- Mr. R. AumlerRecipient of information
- Mr. JonesRecipient of information