Analysis of Suspected Meteorite

This document details the laboratory evaluation of a specimen acquired in Europe by Dr. Ernst Steinhoff, the Chief Scientist at the Air Force Missile Development Center (AFMDC). On September 3, 1964, Dr. Steinhoff obtained a small piece of material that was alleged to be a fragment of a larger meteorite. Following his return, the specimen was forwarded to the Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for technical analysis. The material was assigned Analytical Branch number 4-1591. The laboratory conducted several tests, including X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and spectrographic analysis. The X-ray diffraction yielded no pattern, while the infrared spectrum indicated the presence of an inorganic silicate rather than organic material. The spectrographic analysis identified various elements, including silicon, magnesium, aluminum, iron, and calcium. Based on these findings, the Materials Physics Division concluded that the specimen was a form of inorganic silicate and explicitly stated that it was not a meteorite. The report was prepared by 2d Lt. Paul M. Maslona and reviewed by Captain S. Morrisey. The findings were subsequently communicated to the AFMDC at Holloman Air Force Base, with instructions to return the specimen and the associated documentation. The correspondence includes a translation of a letter from the original source of the material, who had suggested that the specimen possessed a hardness of 6-8 and could potentially be used as a radiation-shielding coating in a pulverized state. The document concludes with administrative notes confirming the location of the artifact in the 'Artifact Room' and the storage of the physical specimen in a separate folder.