Identification of Rocket Parts Recovered in Thailand

This document collection details the investigation and identification of an object initially reported as a 'Unidentified Flying Object' (UFO) in Thailand in May 1965. The object was recovered by the Royal Thai Air Force in Sisakit Province and subsequently turned over to the Joint United States Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG) in Thailand. JUSMAG forwarded the item to the Foreign Technology Division (FTD) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for identification. Through a series of internal communications and coordination with the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (operated by the Hercules Powder Company), the FTD determined that the object was not an anomalous phenomenon but rather a piece of space debris. Specifically, it was identified as a Jato 24DS-5850 X258 motor, which served as the 4th stage propulsion for a Scout Vehicle (S-137) launched from Wallops Island, Virginia, on 16 December 1964. This launch was part of a joint US-Italian air density program. The correspondence includes technical data regarding the motor, including its serial number (RH-75) and its expected payload life. The documentation concludes with an erratum correcting the date of re-entry for the 4th stage parts from May 1964 to May 1965, aligning the timeline with the recovery in Thailand. The parts were ultimately retained by the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory.