Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record Card: Wake Island Sighting, 18 September 1962
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AI-Generated Summary
This document records a 1962 sighting of falling, bright objects near Wake Island by both a pilot and tower personnel. The Air Force concluded the event was likely the result of decaying space debris.
On 18 September 1962, at approximately 1055Z, a sighting of an aerial phenomenon was reported near Wake Island. The event was observed by both a civilian airline pilot and military tower personnel. The pilot, flying at an altitude of 19,000 feet, reported seeing an object that was initially sighted as a single piece before breaking up; the object was described as extremely bright. Simultaneously, the Wake Tower controller observed numerous incandescent objects of various sizes, closely grouped, falling at an acute angle. The objects appeared to be entering the atmosphere from the south-southwest. The incident was documented on a Project 10073 record card and reported via an Air Force incoming message. The official conclusion reached by the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) was that the phenomenon was the probable decay of space debris.
Falling object sighted in one piece breaking up. Extremely bright. Ground observation of same phomena of incandescent objects numerous, closely grouped of various sizes falling at an acute angle apparently entering atmosphere fm SSW.
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Official Assessment
Probable decay of space debris.
The sighting involved numerous incandescent objects of various sizes falling at an acute angle, which were observed by both a pilot and tower personnel at Wake Island. The objects were initially seen as a single piece before breaking up.
Witnesses
- PilotCivilian Airline
- Wake Tower ControllerTower ControllerMilitary