PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD - 15 JUNE 1963

On June 15, 1963, multiple ground and air observers in the San Antonio and Big Spring, Texas areas reported a sighting of a fiery or steady-burning object. The object was described as bluish-green, turning to white before fading, and was observed traveling from the southwest to the northeast. Witnesses reported the object appeared to separate into two pieces, and some noted an explosion or separation sound. The duration of the sighting was generally reported between five seconds and one minute, though one report indicated a duration of 11 minutes. Military and civilian observers, including aircrew and control tower personnel, provided accounts of the event. A helicopter search was conducted in an area where an impact was suspected, but the search yielded negative results after four hours. The Air Force evaluated the reports under Project 10073 and concluded that the sighting was consistent with the atmospheric decay of the Vostok 5 rocket body (identified as 1963 20B), which occurred on June 16, 1963. While some initial reports suggested a meteorite, the official assessment attributed the phenomenon to the satellite decay.