USAF record 302537816

1. DATE - TIME GROUP 27 February 65 28/04/15Z

2. LOCATION Pt Benning, Georgia

3. SOURCE Military

4. NUMBER OF OBJECTS One

5. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 30 Sec Obj, 30 Min Trail

6. TYPE OF OBSERVATION Ground-Visual

7. COURSE Upward NE Likely

8. PHOTOS [No]

9. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE [No]

10. CONCLUSION [REDACTED] [HW: Satellite Decay] Fours Decay [STAMP:]

11. BRIEF SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS Observer looking South. White light, round in shape began to glow until it reached an intensity slightly greater than the brightest star and slightly larger than the largest star visible at that time. Believed to be 300 miles above the horizon and SW of his position. Object moved upward leaving trail 10 miles wide. Travelled upward (flight to NS following contour of Earth, likely). Trail remained visible for 30 minutes before dissipating.

COMMENTS: Four portions of Cosmos 57 breakup reentered during this period. However this object reportedly burned out at a high elevation in the SW. The duration is rather long for a meteor as is the persistence of the trail. Sighting evaluated as a meteor or Satellite Decay, and the unusual feature of trail [ILLEGIBLE] account for this report. Decay not ruled out.

FORM FTD SEP 63 O-329 (TDE) Previous editions of this form may be used