Declassified UFO / UAP Document
UFO Sighting Report — Rapid City, South Dakota, 21 September 1964
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AI-Generated Summary
A civilian reported a fiery object with a long red tail in Rapid City, South Dakota, on September 21, 1964. The Air Force concluded the sighting was likely the atmospheric decay of space objects 1964 57A and 1964 44A.
On September 21, 1964, at approximately 2000 MST, a civilian witness in Rapid City, South Dakota, reported observing a fiery object in the sky. The witness described the object as being located due east of the horizon, noting that it possessed a long red tail and appeared to be larger than a typical meteorite. The witness further stated that the object appeared to almost hit the ground. The report was received by Base Operations at Ellsworth Air Force Base at 2008 MST. Because the witness did not have a telephone, the 821st Combat Support Group forwarded the report to the Air Force Systems Command's Foreign Technology Division at Wright-Patterson AFB for further evaluation. The official analysis concluded that the sighting was a probable meteor observation, specifically attributing the event to the decay of space objects 1964 57A (Saturn 7) and 1964 44A (COSMOS 37), as tracked by SPADATS.
He further stated the object almost hit the ground and said it was bigger than a meteorite and had a long red tail.
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Official Assessment
Probable Meteor observation. Decay of 1964 57A (Saturn 7) this date. SPADATS obj 683. Decay object 1964 44A (COSMOS 37). SPADATS obj decayed this date.
The sighting was determined to be a probable meteor observation, likely associated with the decay of space objects 1964 57A (Saturn 7) and 1964 44A (COSMOS 37).