F I L E No DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE 1\'0TF.: This covt>r is to be used only for official file scrres rtcorded with Au~tralian Archives. Number AR 111 rs to be used for workmg papers SUBJECT FILE NUMBER OLD AIR 580/1/1 pt. 25. REPORTS ON FLYING SAUCERS AND OTHER AERIAL OBJECTS. Folto Referred to Relerred 10 ARCHIVAL ACTION tJ., Rv...'t . R ~l'o/?"7" Se,J-r Fa~ I J ro CirtJfsHMJJt(IH /( l'1S:-~of l \to~r /lfrlt fJ.ftii'/ C. P.~ IN '/ C .J ll.ha;~. Mt!>NiVP1' 7c. &J..Kfl Wll P Oo~o,.J 7 L .VPJ7 W/1 li?RLtdi.Jr J..:U~ W!! K 5 WttK;G!J vfA ({ ft<,:Jfo1oK,- w4 A !J.Gw.,.H I I .DcvJa.,"' J11 E vJ Cur.bJo-rtt (AIR FORCE OFFI~E) MINUTE PAPER P..ECLASSIFI"ATIO.il 0:? FILES DEFAIR 580/1/1 In acco:d::mce ~-tith Reference A, all folios, in ~11 pa'"t:> of DepartrJent of Air File series 580/1 I l are reclaZG ified tr.:cL.~.:SI7IED' Hith e:f.fect 7 May 82. 4s.M<-'RUI~ .:oJI!JMI-/._ -fJ'-C1. oo- /VII}K.4itll.~-r-~C..ci? .r J . Cunninstllllll' 1.5 Dudley P.oad, ICmiiCI, A 6107 .Dear Sir, \lith reference to your hport or an u.nuoua.l aerial sighting at about midnieflt on 26th/29th l.pril 1973, it ho.a teeo d&termi.ned that the most prolxl.ble cause wa.s tht: .t-e-entl"j into .. art.h' o atZI,osp.'tere of the spact: vel.J.cle 1973-024! . Information received fro@ the GodJnrd Spnc FliGht C: ra in I.ArylWld, USA .Jhovs that tlto apace v{!}}iclc 1?7!-24L wa the booster rocket associated with the launchin, of C0~.05 555 (1973- 024 ) , and measured approximately 40 metres in length. CO :i03 555, a Russian satellite launched o~ 25th -ril vau placed into low orbit aroUDd the Earth ai: an inclination of 1. 3 to the equator, placing it on a heacli..na of 171. 3, wh.i.e~ correspo:-1, s to the path of the object sigb.tec.. 'he booster rocket is knO''Il to .1ave re-enterec .. JO Lnrth' s at::os ere and decay-eo at some tim~ durin.[; the perioil 11.55'!l'll and 12.10....., estern Australiz.n ti e , on the night of tho si ~' : your dE: scription of the sightin,- ... nd others received froo throughout \!estern Australia, t e pnt!t of , , object was approx- imately on a line fro;n :Port He<lland to Kalgoorlie and final diointog- ration would have occurred in the vicinity of the Great Australian Tho vividness of the sichting gives credence to 1973-024B being the cause. as o.n object: o this aize would geoerate trer~endous heat iitd tend to disintegrate into s;;;aller tieces durinc the re-mtry proccaa before ultimately burning out or i~aoting. \1e tru.ot that this explanation is satisfactory and thank you for your report. Yo,JXG fai th.fully, (l.. J , ODGERS) Director of Public Relationo Hr E.C. Calleja, 30 CratwicL .:street, POJT EEDLL~ 6721 With reference to your report of an \lUUSual aerial sighting at about midnisht on 28th/29th April 1973, it has been determinGd that the ~oat probable cause was the re-entry into Earth's atmosph re of the space vehicle 1973-024B. In!ormntion received from the God~ar< Space Flight Centre in IlarylaL , USA, :!haws thnt t~e epc.ce vehicle 197;-024B "Ws the booster rocke~ associfl.ted vith the launching o COS:.OS 555 (1973- 024!) ,and measured approxiutely 40 metres in len; -tb. COOi [u~ 555, a Rue~ian satellite launched on 25th April, was glacea iato low orbit around thq rsrtb at an inc~ination of 81. ) to the eq\~a.tor, placi~ it on a hea~ or 171. 3 , which corresponds to the path of the object sighted. The booster roc. t is known to have r -entered the :art~'s atnosphere and decayed at e~ tiwe durino the per i od 1 1. 55pm and 12. 10am ~/estern !ust;r:al an time, on the night of the s il:')ltine,. From your description of the sighU11 and others received fro~ throughout Western Australia, the path o1 v .e object was apProx- imately on a line fron "ort dedl&.nc to .al._,"'orli and final disinte ,- ration woul d have occurred in the vicinity of the Great Australi~1 vividneso o. tbP sightinJ: gives credence to 1973- v<:""' being the cause, as an object of this si<:.e would eene:.:ate tr nendouc heat and tend to disinteer,o.te into smaller pieces ~urin~ the re-entry process before ulti ately burning out or impacting. We t::ust that this explanation is satisfactory and thank Y~!! for yo\U" report. Yours faithfully, (G. J . ODGERS) Dir ctor of Public l.r P. Dolton, BELKA WA 6417 \/1 th reference to your report of an unusual aerial sighting at about nidni ;'lt on 28th/29th '.pril 1973, it has been determined that the ~oet pro~able ca~e wa~ the re-entr' into i:arlb's atmosphere of t!le npace vehicle 197}-0241;. Information received from the Goddard Space Flight Centre in liaryland, U;::. , showt; . tne space vehl~le 1973-024-was th~ booster rocV.et asc~ciated wit~ t~ launcbing of CC ,Q ~55 (197}- 024-A) , and Jeasured approximately 40 metres in length. COSHO:~ 555, a Russian satellite launched on 25tt April, was glaced into l-ow orbit around the &rtb at an inclinatio!l of 81. :5 to the enuato , placi~ i1 on a heading of 171. } which correcponds to ~he path of the or.ject sighted. The booster rocket is kno\m to have re-entered the ..:arth' s atmosphere end decayed at some time during tbe period 1 1 . 55pc ...ad 12. 1011.:1 \lest ern . ustralian time, on the night of the ei.:;hting. From your description of the sighting, and others received fro:n throughout .!estern Australi .. , t:1e patb cf " 10 ob~ e~t was approx- ilaately on a line >rOO! Port Hed.le.nd to i.algoorlie and final disint- e(;I'ation would. have ccourred in the vicinity of the Great Australian rhe vividnes~ of the slghtin~ gives credeneP. to 197}- 02411 bein~ the cause, as an o'Jject of this size woulu t;enerate trewendous heat and tend to disintegrate into smaller pieces d~ing the re-entry process before ulti~ately ~ out or 1mpaot!nu. \le trust that this ex ... lana.tion is su.tiaf ctory and thank you for your ::.:cport. Yours fe.ithfully, (C. J . ODCERS) Director of Public Relatione I:r L.... Lawill, 21 fernallen aJ, LESilDliDIE "'"" 6076 With reference to your report of an unuaual aerial sigbtiDB at about mi.lni ,.t on 28th/29th j)ril 1973, it has been deterained that the most probable cause was the re-entxy into Earth' s atmosphere of the apace vehicle 1973-'24B. Information received !'roo the Gociard Space Flight Centre in .~land, :"TS , , s!lovs that the space vehicle 1973-?2411 was the boost.er rocket associated with the Lt.unchin,~ of cosnos 555 ( 1973-024"), and ~easured appr~imately 40 metres i n length. COSNO.., 555, a flus ian satellite launched on 25th ~pril, as placed into low orbit around the -arth at an inclination of 81. ; equator, placing it o J a bead.i..Jti of 111. ; vhich corresponds to the patn of the object si~ted. The booster rocket is known to have re-entered the .arth' s atmosphere and decayed at some time during the period 11. 55pm and 12. 10am. iolestern .. 1stra.lian time, on the night of the sighting. From your description of the si~+in;.,. and ot.hers received from throughout Western .ustrali~, the path or tu~ object was approx- imately on a line fro~:~ Port fiedlan to {al~orlie ana final disinteg-- ration vould have occurred in the vicinity of the Great Australian The vividnes of tbe si6htino glve~ credence to 1973- 024E being the cause, as an object of this size would e~erate tremendous heat and tend to disintegrat1! into smaller pieces d11ri.n,; the re-entry process before ultimately burning out or impacting. We trust that this explanation is satisfactor.r and t . ...a.nk 3ou for your r1!port. Yours faithfully, G. J . C:uGI:RS) Director of Public Relations ~ ~Ill Iii's Ledger, cda Station, DEilliY WA 6726 Dear hrs Ledger, ith reference to your report of an unusual aeri~ air:;hting at about midni ilt on 26tb/29th April 197} it .has been determined that tbe most probable cause was t .e re-entry into Earth' s at~osphere of the space vehicle 197}-024B. Information r ceived from the Goddard Space fli 1t Centre in laryla.nd, USA, sho~te that tbe space vehicle 1973-024D was the booster rocket associated with tbe launching of COS:ID. 555 (197}- 024!), and measured appro::dmately 40 metres i11 1~--th. CO :os 555, a Rus~ian satellite launched on 25th pril, was 8laced into low orbit around the ~h at an incl ... na.tion of 61. ; to the equator, placing it oo a headin of 171. ; which corresponds to tho path of the object sighted. The booster rocket is known to have re-entered the Earth' s atmosphere and decayed at some time durint the period 11. 55pm and 12. 10am 'iestern .. ustralian time, 0:1 the night of the From your description of the sightil'l8, and others received fros.J. :t!r.roughout 'estern ~.ust.ralia, the path of the cbject was apJ)rOx- im:ltely on a li.ue from Port iledli.!ld to l:algoorlie and final disiotet;- ra.tion would have occurred io the vicinity o1 the Great Australian Tho vividness of the sigbtin~ gives credence to 1973- 02433 being the cause, as an object of this size would -e.1erate trec.endous aeat and tend to disintegrate L.to ST'Jaller pieces duri:-1g the re-entry process before lltimately burning out or iapaoti~g. ~e trust tnat this explanation i~ satisfactory and thank you fo~ your report. Yours fo.i thf'ully, / (r.J. CJY;ERS) Director of Public Iir R. S. arren, i;ount :o:cser Station K..:..LGOORLIE 'riA 64 ;o With reference to your report of an unuaual aerial sighting at about midnight on 28th/29th April 197}, i t has been determined tha.t the most probable cause was the re-entry into Earth' s atQosphere of the space vehicle 1973-024B. Information received from the Goddard Space Flight Centre in iia.ryland, USA, ahovs that the space vehicle 1973-024B was the booster rocket associated vith the launching of COS!:lO-555 (1973- 024,.,.), and ceasured approxicately 40 cetres in length. COSI:O~ 555, Rus~ian satellite launched on 25th April ~s placed into lov orb~ around the Earth at an inclination of 81. 3 to the equator, placing it on a heading of 171.3 Which corresponds to the path of the object s ighted. The booster rocket is known to have re-entered the Earth' s atmosphere and decayed at some time durinc the period 11. 55pm and 12. 10a!:l Western "'ustralian time, on the night of the sighting. From your description of the sighti~. and others received from throughout \lestern Australia, the path of tho object -was approx- il!lately on a line froo Fort Vedland to Ka.lgoorli.e and final disinte~ ration would have occurred' L'1 the vicinity of the Great Australian The vividness of the si tin~ gives credence to 1973- 024B being the cause, as an .:.o.Ject of this size would generah tremendous heat and tend to disintegrat into smaller pieces during the re-entry process before ultimately burning out or impacting. '-le trust that this explanation is satisfactory at~d thank you for your report. Yours faithfully, Director of Public 1~1~tions Mr R. Ski dzlore , Cedar Crescent, TUll PRIC.c. Jf. 6751 \lith reference to your report of an unusual aerial sighting at about Didni&bt on 28t}29th A!Xil 197~. it has been detemincd that the most probable cause \4as the re-entry int"O Earth' s atmosphere of the space vehicle 1~7~-D24B. Infor-~tion received fr~w the Coddard Space Fli~t Ce~tre in Jttu"yla.nd, US , shaws that the space vehicle 197~2413 was the booster roc'et associated with the launchin<> or cosrro~ 555 ( 197}- 02., ) , ~d ceasured ap:r-ro imately 40 n;etrE's in len :th. cr :0 555, Th.:.ssian satellite launcbed on 25th April; WP.s 8laccd io1to low orbit around the .:arth at an incli1ation of 61 . ,; to the equator, placing it on a he'lciing of 171. :; wl-}icb corregponds to tte path of the object sighted. The ooster rocket is kDo~o to ha7e re-entered tns ~s atcosphere and decayed at some time duriUG the period 1 1. 55pm and 12. 10am l.festern -ustralian time, on the ni.:.;b t of the si..,..'lting. L'roo your description of the si 1ting, and others received from thrOUGhout Western Australia, the path o~ the object was approx- Uiatel.' o a line fros Port Hedla.ud to . algoorlie and final disinteg- ration would have occurred in the vicinity of the Great Australian The vividness of t11e si, :htin.g ctv~>s crede'lce tn 19'(}-:l24B teing the cause~ ae an object o!' this size would ;:enera+ trecendoue heat and tend to disintegrate into smaller pieces durin._ the re-entry process before ulti~ately b~ aut or iwpactin(. e trust rhat ~'!:is explanation is satisfactory and thank yuu for your report. faithfull " , (C.J . ODCER:::) Diroctor of Public Relations ,,~ Hr J . D. Holden, 49 Yannerie Crescent, lWJPER A 671' With reference to your re~ort of an unusual aerial sighting at atout midni on 26th/29th ~pril 1973, it has been deter:nined that the most probable cause was the re-entry i.1to ~ atmosphere of the space vehicle 197:}-024E. Information received from the Goddard pace Plight Centre in !.a:ryland, USA, s!J.ows l;hat the epa.co veb.l.cle 1973-02~ was the booster roc .at associated with the launching or COSI.u ... 555 ( 197:}- 024;~), and a.easured approxL...ately 40 letrea in lene-th. COSlfO~ 555, ilussian satellite launched on 25th .pril, was 8l~ced into low orbit around the Earth at an inc~ination of 81. 3 to the equator, placin, it on :l head..i.ng of 171. ; 'tich corresponds to tne path of t~e object sighted. The booster rocket is known to have re-entered the ...arth' s atmosphere and decayed at soce time durin:; the period 11.55pm and 12 . 10a m /estern iustralian time, on the ni~t of the From your de cription of the sigbtin,g:, and oU.ers received fro:n throughout :estern Uf'tralia, the path of the object "-a~ approx- Wa.tely on a line from Fort Hedland to .K.al~orlie and final disintee;-- ration would have occurred in the vicinity of tho Great Australian vividness of tue siGhti~ gives credence to 197}-024B being the cause, as an object of this size woulc! ge11erate tremendous heat and tend to Usinte ~ate into Slllllller pieces durine the re-entry proceso before ulti:cately burn~ out or impactin"". trust that this explanati on i s satisfactory and thank you :for your rep!lrt. Yours :faithfully, DirPctor of Public Relations I~ _ . D. Chisholm, Boolardy Station, via YALGOV JA 6635 Nith reference to your report of an unusual aerial sighting at about midniGnt on 28th/29th April 1973, it has been determined that the moat probable cause was the re-entry into Earth's atwosphero of the apace vehicle 197~24B. Infomation received from the Goddard Space "i'J.i?;ttt Centre in "ayland, USA, ahovs that t he space vehicle 1973-024B was tbe l.iooster rocket associated with tho launching o co:::ros 555 (197~24A), and ce!.Sured ~pproxima.tely 40 metres in length. COSMOS 555, a Russian satellite launched on 25th April, w into low orbit around the Earth at an inc~ination of 81. ; to the equator, placing it on a heading of 171.3 , which corresponds to tae path of tho object sighted. The booster rocket is known to have re- entered the Earth s atmosphere and dec11.yed at some time during tho period 11.55pm and 12.10~. ~estern Australian time, on the night of the aightin6. From your description of the sighting , a'ld others received from throughout Western .ol.Ultralia, the path of 'the object was approx- ir.lately on a line frol:l Port Redland to Kal{;Oorlie and final disint- egration would have occurred in the vicinity of the Great Aur.tralian The vividness of the si;htinc gives credence to 1973- 0248 being the cause, as an object o this size woulcl ~;enerate tremendous heat and tend to disintegrate into smaller pieoea during the re-entry process before ultimately burning out or impacting. \le trust that this explaru1tion is satisfactory and thank you for your report. faithfUlly, ( . J . ODGERS) Director of Public Relations :ru-~.D. roth, 47 Pjttosporum Street, \lith reference to your report of an unusual aerial sightino at about midnight on 28/29th ~pril 1973, it has been determined that the most probable cause was the re-entry into Sart. s atmosphere of the space vehicle 1973-0248. Information received froc the Goddard ~pace Fli$ht Centre in l'laryland, USA, shows that the space vehicle 1973-0248 was the booster rocket associated with the launching of coe-ro::> 555 ( 1973-024-A-), and lilea.Bured approximately 40 metres in length, CO,..!O"' 555, a Russian satellite launched on 25th ... pril, was placed il to low orbit around the 3arth at an inclination of 81.3 to the equator, placing it on a heading of 171.3, ~1ich corresponds to the path of the object si~;ted. The booster rocket is kno'Wn to have re-entered the Barth s atm.osphers and decayed at some time during the period 11. 55 pm and 12 . 10 am \:estern Australian time, vn the night of the sighting . Fro;n your description of t he sighting!, and others received from rOU8hout 't;estern ustralia, the path of the object was approx- imately on a line from Port Hedland to Kalgoorlie and final disintes-- ration vo'.lld have occurred in the vicinity of the Great Australian l'he vividneso of the sighting gives credence to 1973-024.!> being the cause, as an object of this size would ganerate tremendous heat and tend to disinte".'rate into Slllaller pil:'ees dur~ the re-entry process before ultimately burning out or jmpaoting. vie trust that t his explanation is satisfactory and thank you for your report. Yours faithfully, Director of Public ~lations i:r = . Gunnorth, via DO'rl: :Il1, 'A 6461 With reference to your report or an unusual aerial sighting at about midnight on 26th/29th April 1