,! ,fly+ ,sauc]s are ,real by ,donald ,e4 ,keyhoe ,new ,york ,fawcett ,publications1 #aiej scann$ at sacr$-texts4com1 ,m>* #bjjb ,?is book is 9 ! public doma9 because x 0 n r5ew$ 9 a timely fa%ion at ! ,,u ,copyright ,(fice1 z requir$ by law at ! "t4 ,cont5ts ,,*apt] ,i4 ,,*apt] ,,ii4 ,,*apt] ,,iii4 ,,*apt] ,,iv4 ,,*apt] ,v4 ,,*apt] ,,vi4 ,,*apt] ,,vii4 ,,*apt] ,,viii4 ,,*apt] ,,ix4 ,,*apt] ,x4 ,,*apt] ,,xi4 ,,*apt] ,,xii4 ,,*apt] ,,xiii4 ,,*apt] ,,xiv4 ,,*apt] ,,xv4 ,,*apt] ,,xvi4 ,,*apt] ,,xvii4 ,,*apt] ,,xviii4 ,,*apt] ,,xix4 ,,*apt] ,,xx4 ,to ,hel51 ) love ,donald ,e4 ,keyhoe1 :o relates "h 8 inve/igation ( ! fly+ sauc]s1 writes ) tw5ty-five ye>s ( exp]i5ce 9 obs]v+ a]onautical developm5ts4 ,he is a graduate ( ! ,u4,s4 ,naval ,academy at ,annapolis4 ,he flew 9 active s]vice ) ! ,m>9e ,corps1 manag$ ! t\r ( ! hi/oric plane 9 :i* ,b5nett & ,byrd made _! ,nor? ,pole flight1 0 aide to ,*>les ,l9db]gh aft] ! fam\s ,p>is flight1 & 0 *ief ( in=mation = ! ,a]onautics ,bran*1 ,dep>tm5t ( ,comm]ce4 ,au?or's ,note ,,on ,,april #bg1 #aidi1 ! ,u4,s4 ,air ,=ce /at$3 8,! m]e exi/5ce ( "s yet unid5tifi$ fly+ objects necessitates a con/ant vigilance on ! "p ( ,project #8,sauc]' p]sonnel1 & on ! "p ( ! civilian population4 8,answ]s h be5--& w be--drawn f su* factors z guid$ missile rese>* activity1 balloons1 a/ronomical ph5om5a4 4 4 4 ,b !re are /ill "q m>ks4 8,possibilities t ! sauc]s are =eign aircraft h also be5 consid]$4 4 4 4 ,b obs]vations bas$ on nucle> p[] plant rese>* 9 ?is c\ntry label z #8highly improbable' ! exi/5ce on ,e>? ( eng9es small en\gh to h ,p[]$ ! sauc]s4 8,intellig5t life on ,m>s 4 4 4 is n impossible b is completely unprov54 ,! possibility ( intellig5t life on ! ,planet ,v5us is n consid]$ completely unreasonable by a/ronom]s4 8,! sauc]s are n jokes4 ,nei!r are !y cause = al>m40#a #a ,project 8,sauc]0 ,prelim9>y ,/udy ( ,fly+ ,sauc]s4 ,on ,decemb] #bg1 #aidi1 ! ,air ,=ce d5i$ ! exi/5ce ( fly+ sauc]s4#b #b #b4 ,air ,=ce ,press ,release #fbi-di4' ,on ,decemb] #cj1 #aidi1 ! ,air ,=ce reveal$ "p ( a secret ,project 8,sauc]0 report to memb]s ( ! press at ,wa%+ton4 ,! (ficial report /at$3 8,x w nev] be possible to say ) c]ta9ty t any individual did n see a space %ip1 an enemy missile1 or "s o!r object40 ,discuss+ ! motives ( possible visitors f space1 ! report also /at$3 8,su* a civilization might obs]ve t on ,e>? we n[ h atomic bombs & are fa/ develop+ rockets4 ,9 view ( ! pa/ hi/ory ( mank9d1 !y %\ld be al>m$4 ,we %\ld !re=e expect at ?is "t above all to behold su* visitations40 7,9 its ,april #bb report1 ,project 8,sauc]0 /at$ t space travel outside ! sol> sy/em is almo/ a c]ta9ty47 ,on ,febru>y #bb1 #aiej1 ! ,air ,=ce aga9 d5i$ ! exi/5ce ( fly+ sauc]s4 ,on ?is same date1 two sauc]s report$ above ,key ,we/ ,naval ,air ,/ation 7 track$ by rad>2 !y 7 describ$ z maneuv]+ at high spe$ fifty miles above ! e>?4 ,! ,air ,=ce refus$ to comm5t4 ,on ,m>* #i1 #aiej1 a l>ge metallic disk 0 pursu$ by ,f-#ea & jet fight]s & obs]v$ by scores ( ,air ,=ce (fic]s at ,wright ,field1 ,ohio4 ,on ,m>* #ah1 an ,air ,=ce spokesman aga9 d5i$ t sauc]s exi/ & specifically /at$ t !y 7 n ,am]ican guid$ missiles or space-exploration devices4 ,i h c>efully exam9$ all ,air ,=ce sauc] reports made 9 ! la/ ?ree ye>s4 ,= ! pa/ ye>1 ,i h tak5 "p 9 a special inve/igation ( ! fly+-sauc] riddle4 ,i believe t ! ,air ,=ce /atem5ts1 contradictory z !y appe>1 are "p ( an intricate program to prep>e ,am]ica--& ! _w--= ! secret ( ! disks4 ,,*apt] ,i ,x 0 a /range assignm5t4 ,i pick$ up ! telegram f my desk & read x a ?ird "t4 ,,new ,,york1 ,n4 ,y41 ,,may #i1 #aidi ,,h ,,be5 ,,inve/igat+ ,,fly+ ,,sauc] ,,my/]y4 ,,fir/ ,,tip ,,h9t$ ,,gigantic ,,hoax ,,to ,,cov] ,,up ,,(ficial ,,secret4 ,,believe ,,x ,,may ,,h ,,be5 ,,plant$ ,,to ,,hide ,,real ,,answ]4 ,,looks ,,l ,,t]rific ,,/ory4 ,,c ,,y ,,take ,,ov] ,,wa%+ton ,,end8 ,,k5 ,w4 ,,purdy1 ,,editor1 ,,true ,,magaz9e ,i glanc$ out at ! ,potomac1 recall+ ! fir/ sauc] /ory4 ,z a pilot1 ,i'd be5 skeptical ( fly+ disks4 ,!n reports _h begun to p\r 9 f ,air ,=ce & airl9e pilots4 ,app>5tly al>m$1 ! ,air ,=ce _h ord]$ fight]s to pursue ! fa/-fly+ sauc]s4 ,9 "o my/]i\s *ase1 a pilot _h be5 kill$1 & 8 dea? 0 unexpla9$4 ,t _h be5 sev5te5 mon?s ago4 ,s9ce !n1 ! :ole fly+-sauc] riddle _h be5 hidd5 beh9d a curta9 ( ,air ,=ce secrecy4 ,& n[1 an assignm5t f ,true magaz9e on fly+ sauc]s4 ,tw5ty-f\r h\rs lat]1 ,i 0 9 ,k5 ,purdy's (fice4 8,i've _h m5 on ?is = two mon?s10 he told me4 8,i might z well w>n y1 x's a t\gh /ory to crack40 8,y ?9k x's a ,russian missile80 ,i ask$ him4 8,or an ,air ,=ce secret80 8,we've _h sev]al answ]s4 ,none ( !m /acks up4 ,b ,i'm positive "o 0 delib]ately plant$ :5 !y f\nd we 7 *eck+40 ,he told me ! :ole /ory ( ! "w t _h be5 done by ! /aff ( ,true & ( ! reports s5t 9 by compet5t writ]s4 ,! deep] he delv$ into ! my/]y1 ! t\gh] ! assignm5t got4 ,! m ,i le>n$ ab\t fly+ sauc]s1 ! less ,i knew4 8,!re's "o angle ,i want re*eck$10 ,purdy said4 8,y've he>d ( ! ,mantell case80 ,i nodd$4 8,o4,k4 ,try to get ! details ( ,mantell's radio report to ,godman ,t[]4 ,be=e he 0 kill$1 he describ$ ! ?+ he 0 *as+--we "k t mu*4 ,project #8,sauc]' gave out a h9t1 b !y've nev] releas$ ! transcript4 ,"h's ano!r lead4 ,see if y c f9d any?+ ab\t a secret picture1 tak5 at ,h>mon ,field1 ,newf\ndl&--x 0 ar\nd ,july #aidg4 ,i'll s5d y o!r ideas z ,i get !m40 ,be=e ,i left1 ,purdy wi%$ me hick & told me t he w\ld "w 9 close/ h>mony ) me4 8,b wat* out = fake tips10 he said4 8,y'll probably run into "s p at ! ,p5tagon :o'll talk to y #8(f ! record4' ,t h&cuffs a writ]4 ,look out !y don't lead y into a bl9d alley4 ,ev5 ! ,air ,=ce /atem5ts & ! ,project #8,sauc]' report contradict ea* o!r40 ,= six mon?s1 ,i work$ ) o!r inve/igators to solve ! my/]y ( ! disks4 ,we *eck$ a hundr$ sight+ reports1 frequ5tly cross+ ! trail ( ,project 8,sauc]0 teams & ,f4,b4,i4 ag5ts4 ,old records gave fanta/ic leads4 ,s did ,air ,=ce plans = explor+ space4 ,rocket exp]ts1 a/ronom]s1 ,air ,=ce (ficials & pilot gave u clues po9t+ to a />tl+ solution4 ,_m intellig5t p]sons--includ+ sci5ti/s--believe t ! sauc]s conta9 spies f ano!r planet4 ,:5 ?is fir/ phase 0 end$1 we 7 fac$ ) a h>d decision4 ,we _h uncov]$ important facts1 ,we knew ! sauc]s 7 real4 ,if x 0 h&l$ c>efully1 we believ$ ! /ory w\ld be 9 l9e ) a secret ,air ,=ce policy4 ,x 0 f9ally decid$ to publi% c]ta9 alt]nate conclusions4 ,! ,air ,=ce 0 in=m$ ( ,true's int5tions2 no attempt 0 made to block publication4 ,9 ! ,janu>y #aiej issue ( ,true1 ,i report$ t we _h rea*$ ! foll[+ conclusions3 #a ,! e>? has be5 obs]v$ p]iodically by visitors f ano!r planet4 #b4 ,?is obs]vation has increas$ m>k$ly 9 ! pa/ two ye>s4 8,! only o!r possible explanation10 ,i wrote1 8is t1 ! sauc]s are extremely high-spe$1 long-range devices develop$ "h on e>?4 ,su* an advance 7:i* ! ,air ,=ce has d5i$7 w\ld require an almo/ incr$ible leap 9 te*nical progress ev5 = ,am]ican sci5ti/s & design]s40 ,nation-wide press & radio comm5t foll[$ ! appe>ance ( ! article4 ,?is publicity 0 obvi\sly great] ?an ! ,air ,=ce _h expect$4 ,)9 tw5ty-f\r h\rs ! ,p5tagon 0 delug$ ) telegrams1 lett]s1 & long-di/ance calls4 ,app>5tly fe>+ a panic1 ! ,air ,=ce ha/ily /at$ t fly+-sauc] reports--ev5 ^? made by its own pilots & high-rank+ (fic]s--7 mi/akes or 7 caus$ by hy/]ia4#c #c ,air ,=ce press release #fbi-di1 ,decemb] #bg1 #aidi4 ,b ?ree days lat]1 :5 x 0 pla9 t _m ,am]icans calmly accept$ ,true's disclosures1 ! ,air ,=ce releas$ a secret project 8,sauc]0 file conta9+ ?is significant /atem5t3 8,x w nev] be possible to say ) c]ta9ty t any individual did n see a space %ip1 an enemy missile or o!r object40 ,9 ?is same docum5t !re appe>s a confid5tial analysis ( ,air intellig5ce reports4#d ,x is ?is summ>y t conta9s ! (ficial sugge/ion ,(4 space visitors' motives4 ,aft] /at+ t su* a civilization w\ld obvi\sly be f> ahead ( our own1 ! report adds3 #d ,air ,=ce ,project 8,sauc]0 ,decemb] #cj1 #aidi4 8,s9ce ! acts ( mank9d mo/ easily obs]v$ f a di/ance are ,a-bomb explosions1 we %\ld expect "s relation to obta9 betwe5 ! "t ( ! ,a-bomb explosions1 ! "t at :i* ! space %ips are se51 & ! "t requir$ = su* %ips to arrive f & return to home base40 7,9 a previ\s report1 :i* alt]nately w>n$ & reassur$ ! public1 ! ,air ,=ce /at$ t space travel outside ! sol> sy/em is almo/ a c]ta9ty4#e7 #e ,air ,=ce report ,m-#bf-di1 ,prelim9>y ,/udies on ,fly+ sauc]s1 ,april #bg1 #aidi4 ,s9ce #aidi !re has be5 a /eady increase 9 sauc] sight+s4 ,mo/ ( !m h be5 au!ntic reports1 :i* ,air ,=ce d5ials _c disprove4 ,9 ,janu>y1 my/]y disks 7 report$ ov] ,k5tucky1 ,indiana1 ,texas1 ,p5nsylvania1 & sev]al o!r /ates4 ,on ! ,seattle ,an*orage r\te1 an air freight] 0 pac$ = five m9utes by a night-fly+ sauc]4 ,:5 ! pilots tri$ to close 91 ! /range craft zoom$ at t]rific spe$4 ,lat]1 ! airl9e head report$ t ,intellig5ce (fic]s _h quizz$ ! pilots = h\rs4 8,f _! que/ions10 he said1 8,i c\ld tell !y _h a good idea ( :at ! sauc]s are4 ,"o (fic] admitt$ !y did1 b he w\ldn't say any m40 ,ano!r peculi> incid5t occurr$ at ,tucson1 ,arizona1 on ,febru>y #a4 ,j at dusk1 a weird1 fi]y object rac$ we/w>d ov] ! city1 a/oni%+ hundr$s 9 ! /reets bel[4 ,! ,tucson ,daily ,citiz5 ran ! /ory next day ) a d\ble-bann] headl9e3 ,,fly+ ,,sauc] ,,ov] ,,tucson8 ,b-#bi ,,fails ,,to ,,cat* ,,object ,fly+ sauc]8 ,secret exp]im5tal plane8 ,or p]haps a sc\t craft f ,m>s8 ,c]ta9ly ! /range aircraft t blaz$ a smoke trail ov] ,tucson at dusk la/ night defies logical explanation4 ,x 0 z my/ify+ to exp]i5c$ pilots z to gr\ndl+s :o h tr\ble 9 id5tify+ conv5tional planes4 ,cannonball+ ?r\gh ! sky1 "s #cj1jjj feet al(t1 0 a fi]y object %oot+ we/w>d s fa/ x 0 impossible to ga9 any cle> impression ( its %ape or size4 4 4 4 ,at :at mu/ h be5 top spe$ ! object spew$ out light color$ smoke1 b almo/ directly ov] ,tucson x appe>$ to hov] = a few seconds4 ,! smoke puff$ out an angry black & !n be came light] z ! /range missile appe>$ to ga9 spe$0 ,! radio op]ator 9 ! ,davis-,mon?an air =ce base control t[] contact$ ,fir/ ,lt4 ,roy ,l4 ,jones1 tak+ (f = a cross-c\ntry flight 9 a ,b-#bi1 & ask$ him to inve/igate4 ,jones revv$ up 8 swift a]ial tank] & /ill ! unkn[n aircraft /eadily pull$ away t[>d ,cali=nia4 ,dr4 ,edw9 ,f4 ,c>p5t]1 head ( ! ,univ]sity ( ,arizona dep>tm5t ( a/ronomy1 said he 0 c]ta9 t ! object 0 n a meteor or o!r natural ph5om5on4 4 4 4 ,swit*bo>ds ,swamp$ ,swit*bo>ds at ! ,pima c\nty %]iff's (fice & ,tucson police /ation 7 jamm$ ) inquiries4 ,hundr$s saw ! object4 ,tom ,bailey1 #adaa ,e4 #aj? ,/reet1 ?\ght x 0 a l>ge airplane on fire4 ,a lat] *eck %[$ no planes miss+4 ,he said x wav]$ f left to "r z x pass$ ov] ! m\nta9s4 ,bailey also notic$ t ! craft appe>$ to sl[ p]ceptibly ov] ,tucson4 ,he said ! smoke app>5tly came out 9 a ?91 almo/ invisible /ream1 ga9+ sub/ance )9 a few seconds4 ,?is incid5t _h an odd sequel ! foll[+ day4 ,its significance 0 n lo/ on ! ,daily ,citiz54 ,x ran ano!r front-page /ory1 headl9$3 ,,:at ,,d ,,y ,,mean ,,only ,,vapor ,,trail8 ,z ?\gh to prove itself blameless = tilt+ hundr$s ( ,tucson heads skyw>d1 ! ,u4,s4 ,air ,=ce ye/]day aft]noon sp5t h\rs et*+ vapor trails ?r\gh ! skies ov] ! city4 ,! demon/ration prov$ conclusively to ! satisfaction ( mo/ t ! /range pa? ( d>k smoke blaz$ across ! ev5+ sky at dusk ,w$nesday 0 no vapor trail & did n emanate f any conv5tional airplane4 ,! ,w$nesday night spectacle 0 entirely dissimil>4 ,!n1 heavy smoke boil$ & swirl$ 9 a broad1 d>k ribbon fann+ out at lea/ a mile 9 wid? & /ret*+ across ! sky 9 a /raight l9e4 ,s9ce !re 0 no pro( z to :at caus$ ! /range pr$>k manife/ation1 & because ev5 exp]t witnesses 7 unable to expla9 ! appe>ance1 ! matt] rema9s a subject = int]e/+ speculation4 ,!re is /rong evid5ce t ?is /ory 0 delib]ately kept (f ! press wires4 ,! ,associat$ ,press & o!r wire s]vices 9 ,wa%+ton _h no report4 ,reque/s = details by ,frank ,edw>ds1 ,mutual newsca/]1 & o!r radio comm5tators ran into a blank wall4 ,at ! ,p5tagon ,i 0 told t ! ,air ,=ce _h no k ( ! sight+ or ! vapor-trail maneuv]s4 ,on ,febru>y #bb two simil> gl[+ objects 7 se5 above ,boca ,*ica ,naval ,air ,/ation at ,key ,we/4 ,a plane s5t tip to inve/igate 0 hopelessly outdi/anc$2 x 0 obvi\s ! ?+s 7 at a great height4 ,back at ! /ation1 rad>m5 track$ ! objects z !y hov]$ = a mom5t above ,key ,we/4 ,!y 7 f\nd to be at lea/ fifty miles above ! e>?4 ,aft] a few seconds1 !y accel]at$ at high spe$ & /reak$ out ( sight4 ,on ! foll[+ day ,comm&] ,augu/o ,orrego1 a ,*ilean naval (fic]1 report$ t sauc]s _h fl[n above 8 ant>ctic base4 8,dur+ ! bright ant>ctic night10 be said1 8we saw fly+ sauc]s1 "o above ! o!r1 turn+ at trem5d\s spe$s4 ,we h photographs to prove :at we saw40 ,e>ly 9 ,m>*1 ,k5 ,purdy phon$ ! late/ developm5t 9 ! inve/igation4 ,he _h j receiv$ a tip pr$ict+ a flurry ( sauc] publicity dur+ ,m>*4 ,x _h come f an important s\rce 9 ,wa%+ton4 8,y "k :at x probably means10 he said4 8,! same ?+ we talk$ ab\t la/ mon?4 ,b :y 7 we tipp$ (f 9 advance80 8,x's "o m piece 9 ! patt]n10 ,i said4 8,if ! tip's on ! level1 !n !y're /epp+ up ! program40 ,)9 ?ree days1 reports began to p\r 9--f ,p]u1 ,cuba1 ,mexico1 ,turkey1 & o!r p>ts ( ! _w4 ,!n on ,m>* #i a gleam+ metallic disk 0 sight$ ov] ,dayton1 ,ohio4 ,obs]v]s at ,v&alia ,airport phon$ ,wright-,patt]son ,field4 ,scores ( ,air ,=ce pilots & gr\ndm5 wat*$ ! disk1 z fight]s rac$ up 9 pursuit4 ,! my/]i\s object /reak$ v]tically skyw>d1 hov]$ = a :ile miles above ! e>?1 & !n disappe>$4 ,a secret report 0 ru%$ to ! ,civil ,a]onautics ,au?ority 9 ,wa%+ton1 !n turn$ ov] to ,air ,=ce ,intellig5ce4 ,soon aft] ?is ,dr4 ,craig ,hunt]1 director ( a m$ical supply firm1 report$ a huge elliptical sauc] fly+ at a l[ altitude 9 ,p5nsylvania4 ,he describ$ x z metallic1 ) a slott$ out] rim & a rotat+ r+ j inside4 ,on top ( ?is sight+1 ?\s&s ( p at ,f>m+ton1 ,new ,mexico1 wat*$ a l>ge =mation ( disks pass high above ! city4 ,?r\gh\t all ^! reports1 ! ,air ,=ce refus$ to admit ! exi/5ce ( fly+ sauc]s4 ,on ,m>* #ah x flatly d5i$ !y 7 ,air ,=ce secret missiles or space-exploration devices4 ,?ree days lat]1 a ,*icago & ,s\!rn airl9] crew saw a fa/-fly+ disk ne> ,/uttg>t1 ,arkansas4 ,! circul> craft1 bl9k+ a /range blue-:ite light1 pull$ up 9 an arc at t]rific spe$4 ,! two pilots said !y glimps$ light$ ports on ! l[] side z ! sauc] zoom$ above !m4 ,! lights _h a s(t fluoresc5ce1 unlike any?+ !y _h se54 ,!re 0 "o peculi> angle 9 ! ,arkansas incid5t4 ,!re 0 no app>5t attempt to muzzle ! two pilots1 z 9 e>li] airl9e cases4 ,in/ead1 a ,unit$ ,press int]view 0 quickly arrang$1 = nation-wide publication4 ,9 ?is wire /ory ,capta9 ,jack ,adams & ,fir/ ,(fic] ,g4 ,w4 ,&]son made two /atem5ts3 8,we firmly believe t ! fly+ sauc] we saw ov] ,arkansas 0 a secret exp]im5tal type aircraft--n a visitor f out] space4 4 4 4 8,we "k ! ,air ,=ce has d5i$ !re is any?+ to ?is fly+-sauc] bus9ess1 b we're bo? exp]i5c$ pilots & we're n easily fool$40 ,! day aft] ?is /ory appe>$1 ,i 0 discuss+ x ) an airl9e (ficial 9 ,wa%+ton4 8,t's an odd ?+10 he said4 8,! ,air ,=ce c\ld h p]suad$ ^? pilots--or ! l9e presid5t--to hu% ! ?+ up4 ,x looks z if !y want$ t /ory broadca/40 8,y mean ! :ole ?+ 0 plant$80 8,i won't say t1 ?\gh x c\ld h be54 ,probably !y did see some?+4 ,b !y might h be5 told :at to say ab\t x40 8,any idea :y80 ,he look$ at me %>ply4 8,y & ,purdy probably "k ! answ]4 ,at a guess1 ,i'd say x might h be5 plann$ to (fset t ,navy comm&]'s report--! "o on ! ,:ite ,s&s sight+s40 ,! ,:ite ,s&s case _h puzzl$ _m skeptics1 because ! ,p5tagon _h cle>$ ! publi%$ report4 ,! au?or1 ,comm&] ,r4 ,b4 ,mc,laughlin1 0 a regul> ,navy (fic]4 ,z a ,navy rocket exp]t1 he _h be5 /ation$ at ! ,:ite ,s&s ,rocket ,prov+ ,gr\nd 9 ,new ,mexico4 ,9 8 publi%$ article he describ$ ?ree disk sight+s at ,:ite ,s&s4 ,"o ( ! disks1 a huge elliptical craft1 0 track$ by sci5ti/s ) precision in/rum5ts at five miles p] second4 ,t's #ah1jjj miles p] h\r4 ,x 0 f\nd to be fly+ fifty-six miles above ! e>?4 ,two o!r disks1 small] types1 7 wat*$ f five obs]vation po/s on hills at ! prov+ gr\nd4 ,circl+ at incr$ible spe$1 ! two disks pac$ an ,army high-altitude rocket t _h j be5 laun*$1 !n spe$$ up & swiftly outclimb$ ! projectile4 ,comm&] ,mc,laughlin's report1 giv+ dates & factual details1 0 cle>$ by ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se4 ,s 0 a lat] nation-wide broadca/4 ,!n ! ,air ,=ce made its r\t9e d5ial4 ,:y 0 ,mc,laughlin1 a regul> ,navy (fic] subject to security scre5+1 p]mitt$ to give out ?is /ory8 ,0 x an incr$ible slip-up8 ,or 0 x "p ( "s c>efully ?\ght-out plan8 ,i believe x 0 "p ( an elaborate program to prep>e ! ,am]ican p = a dramatic disclosure4 ,= almo/ a ye> ,i h wat*$ ! beh9d-!-sc5es maneuv]s ( ^? :o guide ?is program4 ,9 ! foll[+ *apt]s ,i h tri$ to %[ ! /range developm5ts 9 our se>* = ! answ]2 ! c>efully mislead+ tips1 ! bl9d alleys we ent]$1 ! unexpect$ assi/ance1 ! confid5tial leads1 & ! /unn+ contradictions4 ,x has be5 a complicat$ jigsaw puzzle4 ,only by see+ all p>ts ( ?is intricate picture c y beg9 to glimpse ! reasons = ?is /ubbornly hidd5 secret4 ,! (ficial explanation may be imm95t4 ,:5 x is f9ally reveal$1 ,i believe ! elaborate prep>ation--ev5 ! wide deceit involv$--w be fully ju/ifi$ 9 ! m9ds ( ! ,am]ican p4 ,,*apt] ,,ii ,x has be5 ov] two ye>s s9ce ! puzzl+ dea? ( ,capta9 ,?omas ,mantell4 ,mantell di$ my/]i\sly 9 ! skies s\? ( ,=t ,knox4 ,b be=e 8 radio w5t sil5t1 he s5t a /range message to ,godman ,air ,=ce ,base4 ,! m5 :o he>d x w nev] =get x4 ,x 0 ,janu>y #g1 #aidh4 ,cr[d$ into ! ,godman ,field ,t[]1 a gr\p ( ,air ,=ce (fic]s />$ up at ! aft]noon sky4 ,= j an in/ant1 some?+ gleam$ ?r\gh ! brok5 cl\ds s\? ( ! base4 ,high above ! field1 ?ree ,p-#ea fight]s climb$ ) swift urg5cy4 ,head+ s\?1 !y quickly vani%$4 ,! clock 9 ! t[] read #b3de4 ,colonel ,guy ,hix1 ! ,c4,o41 sl[ly put d[n 8 b9ocul>s4 ,if ! ?+ 0 /ill !re1 ! cl\ds n[ hid x4 ,all !y c\ld d 0 wait4 ,! fir/ al>m _h come f ,=t ,knox1 :5 ,army ,m4,p4's _h relay$ a /ate police w>n+4 ,a huge gleam+ object _h be5 se5 9 ! sky1 mov+ t[>d ,godman ,field4 ,hundr$s ( />tl$ p _h se5 x at ,madisonville1 n9ety miles away4 ,?irty m9utes lat]1 x _h zoom$ up ov] ! base4 ,colonel ,hix glanc$ ar\nd at ! re/ ( ! m5 9 ! t[]4 ,!y all _h a daz$ look4 ,e man !re _h se5 ! ?+1 z x b>rel$ s\? ( ! field4 ,ev5 ?r\gh ! ?9 cl\ds1 its int]mitt5t r$ gl[ _h h9t$ at "s my/]i\s s\rce ( p[]4 ,some?+ outside _! und]/&+4 ,x 0 ,woods1 ! exec1 :o _h e/imat$ its size4 ,hix %ook 8 head4 ,t 0 unbelievable4 ,b some?+ _h hung ov] ,godman ,field = almo/ an h\r4 ,! ,c4,o4 turn$ quickly z ! l\d-speak]1 tun$ to ! ,p-#ea's1 sudd5ly came to life4 8,capta9 ,mantell to ,godman 4 4 4 ,t[] ,mantell to ,godman ,t[] 4 4 40 ,! flight lead]'s voice _h a /ra9$ tone4 8,i've sight$ ! ?+60 he said4 8,x looks metallic--& x's trem5d\s 9 size60 ,! ,c4,o4 & ,woods />$ at ea* o!r4 ,no "o spoke4 8,! ?+'s />t+ to climb10 ,mantell said swiftly4 8,x's at twelve o'clock high1 mak+ half my spe$4 ,i'll try to close 940 ,9 five m9utes1 ,mantell report$ aga94 ,! /range metallic object _h spe$$ up1 0 n[ mak+ #cfj or m4 ,at #c3jh1 ,mantell's w+man call$ 94 ,bo? he & ! o!r pilot _h se5 ! weird object4 ,b ,mantell _h outclimb$ !m & 0 lo/ 9 ! cl\ds4 ,sev5 m9utes dragg$ by4 ,! m5 9 ! t[] sweat$ out ! sil5ce4 ,!n1 at #c3ae1 ,mantell made a ha/y contact4 8,x's /ill above me1 mak+ my spe$ or bett]4 ,i'm go+ up to tw5ty ?\s& feet4 ,if ,i'm no clos]1 ,i'll ab&on *ase40 ,x 0 8 la/ report4 ,m9utes lat]1 8 fight] dis9tegrat$ ) t]rific =ce4 ,! fall+ wreckage 0 scatt]$ = ?\s&s ( feet4 ,:5 ,mantell fail$ to answ] ! t[]1 "o ( 8 pilots began a se>*4 ,climb+ to #cc1jjj feet1 he flew a hundr$ miles to ! s\?4 ,b ! ?+ t lur$ ,mantell to 8 dea? _h vani%$ f ! sky4 ,t5 days aft] ,mantell 0 kill$1 ,i le>n$ ( a curi\s sequel to ! ,godman affair4 ,an ,a4,p4 acc\nt 9 ! ,new ,york ,times _h caught my att5tion4 ,! /ory1 releas$ at ,=t ,knox1 admitt$ ,mantell _h di$ :ile *as+ a fly+ sauc]4 ,colonel ,hix 0 quot$ z hav+ wat*$ ! object1 :i* 0 /ill unid5tifi$4 ,b !re 0 no m5tion ( ,mantell's radio messages--no h9t ( ! ?+'s trem5d\s size4 ,?\gh ,i knew ! lid 0 probably on1 ,i w5t to ! ,p5tagon4 ,:5 ! sc>e _h fir/ brok51 9 ! summ] ( '#dg1 ,i _h talk$ ) ,capta9 ,tom ,br[n1 :o 0 h&l+ sauc] inquiries4 ,b by n[ ,br[n _h be5 %ift$1 & no "o 9 ! ,press ,bran* w\ld admit kn[+ ! details ( ! ,mantell sauc] *ase4 8,we j don't "k ! answ]10 a security (fic] told me4 8,!re's a rumor10 ,i said1 8x's a secret ,air ,=ce missile t sometimes goes out ( control40 8,good ,god1 man60 he explod$4 8,if x 01 d y ?9k we'd be ord]+ pilots to *ase ! damn$ ?+s80 8,no--& ,i didn't say ,i believ$ x40 ,i wait$ until he cool$ d[n4 8,?is ord] y m5tion$--is x = all ,air ,=ce pilots1 or special fight] units80 8,i didn't say x 0 a special ord]10 he answ]$ quickly4 8,all pilots h r\t9e in/ructions to report unusual items40 8,!y _h fight]s al]t$ on ! ,coa/1 :5 ! sc>e fir/ broke10 ,i rem9d$ him4 8,are ^? ord]s /ill 9 =ce80 ,he %ook 8 head4 8,no1 n t ,i "k (40 ,aft] a mom5t he add$1 8,all ,i c tell y is t ! ,air ,=ce is /ill inve/igat+4 ,we hone/ly don't "k ! answ]40 ,z ,i w5t out ! ,mall entrance1 ,i ran into ,jack ,daly1 "o ( ,wa%+ton's vet]an newsm54 ,be=e ! w>1 ,jack & ,i _h done magaz9e pieces toge!r1 usually on ,axis espionage & communi/ activity4 ,i told him ,i 0 try+ to f9d ! answ] to ,mantell's dea?4 8,y he>d any?+80 ,i ask$ him4 8,only :at 0 9 ! ,a4,p4 /ory10 said ,jack4 8,b an ,i4,n4,s4 man told me !y _h a sauc] /ory f ,columbus1 ,ohio--& x might h be5 ! same "o !y saw at ,=t ,knox40 8,i miss$ t4 ,:at 0 x80 8,!y sight$ ! ?+ at ! ,air ,=ce field outside ( ,columbus4 ,x 0 ar\nd sund[n1 ab\t two h\rs aft] t pilot 0 kill$ 9 ,k5tucky40 8,anybody *ase x80 ,i ask$4 8,no4 ,!y didn't h "t to take (f1 ,i guess4 ,?is ,i4,n4,s4 guy said x 0 go+ l hell4 ,fa/ z a jet1 anyway40 8,did he say :at x look$ l80 8,! ,air ,=ce boys said x 0 z big z a ,c-#dg10 said ,jack4 8,maybe bigg]4 ,x _h a r$di%-orange exhau/ /ream+ out beh9d4 ,!y c\ld see x = miles40 8,if y he> any m1 let me "k10 ,i said4 ,jack promis$ he w\ld4 8,:at d y ?9k !y are80 he ask$ me4 8,x's got me /ump$4 ,russia w\ldn't be te/+ missiles ov] "h4 ,anyway1 ,i c't believe !y've got any?+ l t4 ,& ,i c't see ! ,air ,=ce lett+ pilots get kill$ to hide some?+ we've got40 ,"o week lat]1 ,i he>d t a top-secret unit _h be5 set up at ,wright ,field to inve/igate all sauc] reports4 ,:5 ,i call$ ! ,p5tagon1 !y admitt$ ?is mu*1 & t 0 all4 ,9 ! next few mon?s1 o!r fly+-disk /ories hit ! front pages4 ,two ,ea/]n ,airl9e pilots report$ a d\ble-deck$ my/]y %ip sight$ ne> ,montgom]y1 ,alabama4 ,i le>n$ ( two o!r sight+s1 "o ov] ! ,pacific ,ocean & "o 9 ,cali=nia4 ,! second "o1 se5 ?r\gh field glasses1 0 describ$ z rocket-%ap$1 z l>ge z a ,b-#bi4 ,!re 7 also rumors ( disks be+ track$ by rad>1 b x 0 almo/ a ye> be=e ,i confirm$ ^! reports4 ,:5 ,purdy wir$ me1 e>ly 9 ,may ( '#di1 ,i _h half =gott5 ! disks4 ,x _h be5 mon?s s9ce any important sight+s _h be5 report$4 ,b 8 message quickly reviv$ my curiosity4 ,if he ?\ght ! subject 0 hot1 ,i knew he mu/ h reasons4 ,:5 ,i walk$ into 8 (fice at #fg ,we/ #dd?1 ,purdy /ubb$ out 8 cig>ette & %ook h&s4 ,he look$ at me ?r\gh 8 glasses = a mom5t4 ,!n he said abruptly3 8,y "k any?+ ab\t ! disks80 8,if y mean :at !y are--no40 ,he motion$ = me to sit d[n4 ,!n he swivel$ 8 *air ar\nd1 8 %\ld]s hun*$ =w>d1 & fr[n$ out ! w9d[4 8,h y se5 ! ,po/ ?is week80 ,i told him no4 8,!re's some?+ damn$ que] go+ on4 ,= fifte5 mon?s1 ,project #8,sauc]' is button$ up tight4 ,top secret4 ,!n sudd5ly1 ,=re/al gets ! ,saturday ,ev5+ ,po/ to run two articles1 bru%+ ! :ole ?+ (f4 ,! fir/ piece hits ! /&s--& !n :at happ5s80 ,purdy swung ar\nd1 jabb$ 8 f+] at a docum5t on4 8 desk4 8,t same day1 ! ,air ,=ce ru%es out ?is ,project #8,sauc]' report4 ,x admits !y hav5't id5tifi$ ! disks 9 any important cases4 ,!y say x's /ill s]i\s en\gh--wait a m9ute--8he ?umb$ ?r\gh ! /apl$ pap]s--0 #8to require con/ant vigilance by ,project 8,sauc]0 p]sonnel & ! civilian population4'0 8,y'd ?9k ! ,po/ w\ld make a public kick10 ,i said4 8,i don't mean x's an out-&-out d5ial10 said ,purdy4 8,x doesn't m5tion ! ,po/--j contradicts x4 ,9 fact1 ! report contradicts itself4 ,x looks z if !y're try+ to w>n p & yet !y're sc>$ to say too mu*40 ,i look$ at ! title on ! report3 8,a ,dige/ ( ,prelim9>y ,/udies by ! ,air ,mat]iel ,comm&1 ,wright ,field1 ,dayton1 ,ohio1 on #8,fly+ ,sauc]s4'0 8,h ! pap]s caught x yet80 ,i ask$ ,purdy4 8,y mean its contradict+ ! ,po/80 ,he %ook 8 head4 8,no1 ! ,p5tagon press release didn't get mu* space4 ,h[ _m editors w\ld wade ?r\gh a six-?\s&-^w gov]nm5t report8 ,ev5 if !y did1 !y'd h to comp>e x1 item = item1 ) ! ,po/ piece40 8,:o wrote ! ,po/ /ory80 ,purdy lit a cig>ette & fr[n$ out aga9 at ! skyscrap]s4 8,sidney ,%allett--& he's c>eful4 ,he _h ,=re/al's back+4 ,! ,air ,=ce flew him ar\nd1 arrang$ int]views1 suppos$ly gave him inside /uff4 ,he sp5t two mon?s on x4 ,!y ,o4,k4'd 8 script1 :i* practically says ! sauc]s are bunk4 ,!n !y r5eg$ on x40 8,maybe "s top brass sudd5ly decid$ x 0 ! wrong policy to bru% x (f10 ,i sugge/$4 8,:y ! quick *ange80 dem&$ ,purdy4 8,let's say !y sold ! ,po/ on cov]+ up ! tru?1 9 ! int]e/s ( security4 ,x's possible1 ?\gh ,i don't believe x4 ,or !y c\ld simply h f$ !m a fake /ory4 ,ei!r way1 :y did !y ru% ?is contradiction ! m9ute ! ,po/ hit ! /&s80 8,some?+ s]i\s happ5$10 ,i said1 8aft] ! ,po/ w5t to press40 8,yes1 b :at80 ,purdy said impati5tly4 8,t's :at we've got to f9d out40 8,does ,%allett's fir/ piece m5tion ,mantell's dea?80 8,expla9s x p]fectly4 ,y "k :at ,mantell 0 *as+8 ,! planet ,v5us60 8,t's ! ,po/'s answ]80 ,i said1 incr$ul\sly4 8,x's :at ! ,air ,=ce contract a/ronom] told ,%allett4 ,i've *eck$ ) two a/ronom]s "h4 ,!y say t ev5 :5 ,v5us is at full magnitude y c b>ely see x 9 ! daytime ev5 :5 y're look+ = x4 ,x 0 only half magnitude t day1 s x 0 practically invisible40 8,h['d ! ,air ,=ce expect anybody to believe t answ]80 ,i said4 ,purdy %rugg$4 8,!y d5y x 0 ,v5us 9 ?is report4 ,b t's :at !y told ,%allett--t all ^? ,air ,=ce (fic]s1 ! pilots1 ! ,k5tucky /ate police1 & sev]al hundr$ p at ,madisonville mi/ook ,v5us = a metallic disk sev]al hundr$ feet 9 diamet]40 8,x's a wond] ,%allett believ$ x40 8,i don't ?9k he did4 ,he says if x wasn't ,v5us1 x mu/ h be5 a balloon40 8,:at's ! ,air ,=ce answ]80 ,i ask$ ,purdy4 8,look 9 ! report4 ,!y say :atev] ,mantell *as$--!y call x a #8my/]i\s object'--is /ill unid5tifi$40 ,i glanc$ ?r\gh ! case report1 on page five4 ,x quot$ ,mantell's radio report t ! ?+ 0 metallic & trem5d\s 9 size4 ,l9k$ ) ! dea? ( ,mantell 0 ! ,lockb\rne1 ,ohio1 report1 :i* ti$ 9 ) :at ,jack ,daly _h told me1 ov] a ye> be=e4 ,i read ! report3 8,on ! same day1 ab\t two h\rs lat]1 a sky ph5om5on 0 obs]v$ by sev]al wat*]s ov] ,lockb\rne ,air ,=ce ,base1 ,columbus1 ,ohio4 ,x 0 describ$ z #8r\nd or oval1 l>g] ?an a ,c-#dg1 & travel+ 9 level flight fa/] ?an #ejj miles p] h\r4' ,! object 0 foll[$ f ! ,lockb\rne obs]vation t[] = m ?an #bj m9utes4 ,obs]v]s said x gl[$ f :ite to amb]1 leav+ an amb] exhau/ trail five times its own l5g?4 ,x made motions l an elevator & at "o "t appe>$ to t\* ! gr\nd4 ,no s\nd 0 he>d4 ,f9ally1 ! object fad$ & l[]$ t[>d ! horizon40 ,purdy buzz$ = 8 secret>y1 & %e br\ght me a copy ( ! fir/ ,po/ article4 8,y c get a copy ( ?is ,air ,=ce report 9 ,wa%+ton10 ,purdy told me4 8,?is is ! only "o ,i h4 ,b y'll f9d ! same answ] = mo/ ( ! important cases--! sight+s at ,muroc ,air ,base1 ! airl9e pilots' reports1 ! disks ,k5ne? ,arnold saw--!y're all unid5tifi$40 8,i rememb] ! ,arnold case4 ,t 0 ! fir/ sight+40 8,y've got contacts 9 ,wa%+ton10 ,purdy w5t on4 8,/>t at ! ,p5tagon fir/4 ,!y "k we're work+ on x4 ,sam ,boal1 ! fir/ man on ?is job1 0 d[n !re = a day or two40 8,:at did he f9d out80 8,sym+ton told him ! sauc]s 7 bunk4 ,secret>y ,johnson admitt$ !y _h "s pictures--we'd he>d ab\t a secret photograph tak5 at ,h>mon ,field1 ,newf\ndl&4 ,! tip said ?is sauc] sc>$ hell out ( "s pilots & ,air ,=ce m5 up !re4 8,a major took ,boal to "s ,air ,=ce colonel & ,boal ask$ to see ! pictures4 ,! colonel said !y didn't h any4 ,he turn$ r$ :5 ! major said ,sym+ton _h told ,boal ab\t ! pictures40 8,did ,boal get to see !m80 ,i said4 8,no10 grunt$ ,purdy1 8& ,i'll bet tw5ty bucks y won't1 ei!r4 ,b try1 anyway4 ,& *eck on a rumor t !y've track$ "s disks ) rad>4 ,"o case 0 suppos$ to be at an ,air ,=ce base 9 ,japan40 ,z ,i 0 leav+1 ,purdy gave me a summ>y ( sight+ reports4 8,"s ( ^! 7 publi%$1 "s we dug up ourselves10 he said4 8,we got "s confid5tial /uff f airl9e pilots4 ,x's pretty obvi\s ! ,air ,=ce has tri$ to keep !m quiet40 8,all "r10 ,i said4 8,i'll get />t$4 ,maybe ?+s ar5't sew$ up s tightly1 n[ ?is report is out40 8,we've f\nd out "s ?+s ab\t ,project #8,sauc]1' said ,purdy4 8,:e!r x's a cov]-up or a real inve/igation1 !re's a lot ( hu%-hu% bus9ess to x4 ,!y've got a/ronom]s & a/rophysici/s work+ = !m1 also rocket expects1 te*nical analy/s1 & ,air ,=ce ,special ,intellig5ce4 ,we've be5 told !y c call on any gov]nm5t ag5cy = help--& ,i "k !y're us+ ! ,f4,b4,i40 ,x 0 build+ up bigg] ?an ,i _h ?\ght4 8,if national security is involv$10 ,i told ,purdy1 8!y c %ut u up 9 a hurry40 8,if !y tell me s1 ,o4,k410 said ,purdy4 ,he add$ grimly1 8,b ,i ?9k !y're mak+ a bad mi/ake4 ,!y probably ?9k !y're do+ :at's "r4 ,b ! tru? might come out ! wrong way40 8,x is possible10 ,i ?\ght1 8t ! sauc]s belong to ,russia40 8,if x turns out to be a ,soviet missile1 c\nt me out10 ,i said4 8,we'd h ! ,p5tagon & ! ,f4,b4,i4 on our necks40 8,all "r1 if t's ! answ]40 ,he *uckl$4 8,b y may be 9 = a jolt40 ,,*apt] ,,iii ,j ! idea ( gigantic fly+ disks 0 incr$ible en\gh4 ,x 0 almo/ z h>d to believe t su* missiles c\ld h be5 develop$ )\t some?+ leak+ out4 ,yet we _h produc$ ! ,a-bomb 9 comp>ative secrecy1 & ,i knew we 7 work+ on long-range guid$ missiles4 ,!re 0 already a plan = a ?ree-?\s&-mile te/ range4 ,our sup]sonic planes _h hit ar\nd two ?\s& miles an h\r4 ,our two-/age rockets _h gone ov] two hundr$ miles high1 accord+ to reports4 ,if an atomic eng9e _h be5 secretly develop$1 x c\ld expla9 ! spe$ & range ( ! sauc]s4 ,b ,i kept com+ back to ,mantell's dea? & ! ,air ,=ce ord]s = pilots to *ase ! sauc]s4 ,if ! disks 7 ,am]ican missiles1 t didn't jibe4 ,:5 ,i rea*$ ! lobby1 ,i f\nd x 0 t5 aft] f\r4 ,i caught a taxi & made ! ,congressional ,limit$ ) j "o m9ute to sp>e4 ,9 ! club c>1 ,i settl$ d[n to look at ,purdy's summ>y4 ,skipp+ ?r\gh ! pages1 ,i saw sev]al famili> cases4 ,"h & !re1 ,purdy _h scrawl$ brief comm5ts or sugge/ions4 ,beside ! ,ea/]n ,airl9e report ( a d\ble-deck$ sauc]1 he _h writt53 8,*eck rumor same type se5 ov] ,holl& ab\t ?is date4 ,also1 simil> ,philipp9e ,isl&s report--date unkn[n40 ,i w5t back to ! beg9n+4 ,! fir/ case li/$ 0 t ( ,k5ne? ,arnold1 a ,boise bus9essman1 :o _h set (f ! sauc] sc>e4 ,arnold 0 fly+ 8 private plane f ,*ehalis to ,yakima1 ,wa%+ton1 :5 he saw a bright fla% on 8 w+4 ,look+ t[>d ,m\nt ,ra9i]1 he saw n9e gleam+ disks outl9$ aga9/ ! sn[1 ea* "o ab\t ! size ( a ,c-#ed4 8,!y flew close to ! m\nta9tops1 9 a diagonal *a9like l9e10 he said lat]4 8,x 0 z if !y 7 l9k$ toge!r40 ,! disks appe>$ to be tw5ty to tw5ty-five miles away1 he said1 & mov+ at fanta/ic spe$4 ,arnold's e/imate 0 twelve hundr$ miles an h\r4 8,i wat*$ !m ab\t ?ree m9utes10 he said4 8,!y 7 sw]v+ 9 & out ar\nd ! high m\nta9 peaks4 ,!y 7 flat1 l a pie pan1 & s %9y !y reflect$ ! sun l a mirror4 ,i nev] saw any?+ s fa/40 ,! date 0 ,june #bd1 #aidg4 ,on ?is same day !re 0 ano!r sauc] report4 :i* receiv$ v little notice4 ,a ,portl& prospector nam$ ,fr$ ,johnson1 :o 0 work+ up 9 ! ,cascade ,m\nta9s1 spott$ five or six disks bank+ 9 ! sun4 ,he wat*$ !m ?r\gh 8 telescope sev]al seconds4 !n he sudd5ly notic$ t ! compass h& on 8 special wat* 0 weav+ wildly f side to side4 ,johnson insi/$ he _h n he>d ( ! ,arnold report1 :i* 0 n broadca/ until e>ly ev5+4 ,k5ne? ,arnold's /ory 0 g5]ally receiv$ ) amusem5t4 ,mo/ ,am]icans 7 unaw>e t ! ,p5tagon _h be5 receiv+ disk reports z e>ly z ,janu>y4 ,! news & radio comm5ts on ,arnold's report br\ght sev]al o!r incid5ts to light1 :i* obs]v]s _h kept to !mselves = fe> ( ridicule4 ,at ,oklahoma ,city1 a private pilot told ,air ,=ce inve/igators he _h se5 a huge r\nd object 9 ! sky dur+ ! latt] "p ( ,may4 ,x 0 fly+ ?ree times fa/] ?an a jet1 he said1 & )\t any s\nd4 ,citiz5s ( ,weis]1 ,idaho1 describ$ two /range fa/-mov+ objects !y _h se5 on ,june #ab4 ,! sauc]s 7 head+ s\!a/1 n[ & !n dropp+ to a l[] altitude1 !n swiftly climb+ aga94 ,sev]al my/]i\s objects 7 report$ fly+ at great spe$ ne> ,spokane1 j ?ree days be=e ,arnold's exp]i5ce4 ,& f\r days aft] 8 enc\nt]1 an ,air ,=ce pilot fly+ ne> ,lake ,meade1 ,nevada1 0 />tl$ to see half a doz5 sauc]s fla% by 8 plane4 ,ev5 at ?is e>ly po9t 9 ! sc>e1 (ficial reports 7 contradict+ ea* o!r4 j aft] ,arnold's /ory broke1 ! ,air ,=ce admitt$ x 0 *eck+ on ! my/]y disks4 ,on ,july #d ! ,air ,=ce /at$ t no fur!r inve/igation 0 ne$$2 x 0 all halluc9ation4 ,t same day1 ,wright ,field told ! ,associat$ ,press t ! ,air ,mat]iel ,comm& 0 try+ to f9d ! answ]4 ,! ,f\r? ( ,july 0 a r$-lett] day 9 ! fly+-sauc] my/]y4 ,at ,portl&1 ,oregon1 hundr$s ( citiz5s1 includ+ =m] ,air ,=ce pilots1 police1 h>bor pilots1 & deputy %]iffs1 saw doz5s ( gleam+ disks fly+ at high spe$4 ,! ?+s2 appe>$ to be at lea/ =ty ?\s& feet 9 ! air--p]haps mu* high]4 ,t same day1 disks 7 sight$ at ,seattle1 ,vanc\v]1 & o!r nor?we/ cities4 ,! rapidly gr[+ reports 7 met ) mix$ ridicule & al>m4 ,"o ( ! skeptical gr\p 0 ,capta9 ,e4 ,j4 ,smi?1 ( ,unit$ ,airl9es4 8,i'll believe !m :5 ,i see !m10 he told airl9e employees1 be=e tak+ (f f ,boise ! aft]noon ( ! ,f\r?4 ,j ab\t sunset1 8 airl9] 0 fly+ ov] ,emmett1 ,idaho1 :5 ,capta9 ,smi? & 8 copilot1 ,ralph ,/ev5s1 saw five que] objects 9 ! sky ahead4 ,smi? rang = ! /ew>dess1 ,m>ty ,morr[1 & ! ?ree ( !m wat*$ ! sauc]s = sev]al m9utes4 ,!n f\r m ( ! disks came into sight4 ,?\gh x 0 impossible to tell _! size1 because _! altitude 0 unkn[n1 ! crew 0 sure !y 7 bigg] ?an ! plane !y 7 94 ,aft] ab\t t5 m9utes ! disks disappe>$4 ,! ,air ,=ce quickly d5i$ hav+ any?+ resembl+ !6 objects ,capta9 ,smi? describ$4 8,we h no exp]im5tal craft ( t nature 9 ,idaho--or any:]e else10 an (ficial said 9 ,wa%+ton4 8,we're completely my/ifi$40 ,! ,navy said x _h made an inve/igation1 & _h no answ]s4 ,!re _h be5 rumors t ! disks 7 8s\p$-up0 v]sions ( ! ,navy's 8,fly+ ,flapjack10 a tw9-eng9$ circul> craft kn[n te*nically z ! ,,xf-#e-,u-#a4 ,b ! ,navy insi/$ t only "o model _h be5 built1 & t x 0 n[ out ( s]vice4 ,9 ,*icago1 two a/ronom]s spik$ guesses t ! disks might be meteors4 ,dr4 ,gir>d ,kieup]1 director ( ! ,univ]sity ( ,*icago obs]vatory1 said flatly t !y c\ldn't be meteors4 8,!y're probably man-made10 he told ! ,a4,p4 ,dr4 ,oliv] ,lee1 director ( ,nor?we/]n's obs]vatory1 agre$ ) ,kieup]4 8,! ,army1 ,navy1 & ,air ,=ce are work+ secretly on all sorts ( ?+s10 he said4 8,rememb] ! ,a-bomb secrecy--& ! rad> signals to ! moon40 ,z ,i w5t ?r\gh ,purdy's summ>y1 ,i recall$ my own reaction aft] ! ,unit$ ,airl9es report4 ,aft] see+ ! ,p5tagon comm5t1 ,i _h call$ up ,capta9 ,tom ,br[n1 at ,air ,=ce ,public ,relations4 8,are y really tak+ ?is s]i\sly80 ,i ask$ him4 8,well1 we c't j ignore x10 he said4 8,!re are too _m reliable pilots tell+ ! same /ory--flat1 r\nd objects able to outmaneuv] ord9>y planes1 & fa/] ?an any?+ we h4 ,too _m /ories tally40 ,i told him ,i'd he>d t ! ,civil ,air ,patrol 9 ,wiscons9 & o!r /ates 0 />t+ a sky se>*4 8,we've got a jet at ,muroc1 & six fight]s /&+ by at ,portl& "r n[10 ,br[n said4 8,arm$80 8,i've no report on t4 ,b ,i "k "s ( !m c>ry photographic equipm5t40 ,two days lat] an airl9e pilot f ! ,coa/ told me t "s fight]s _h be5 arm$ & ! pilots ord]$ to br+ d[n ! disks if humanly possible4 ,t same day1 ,wright ,field admitt$ x 0 *eck+ /ories ( disk-%ap$ missiles se5 rec5tly 9 ! ,pacific nor?we/ & 9 ,texas4 ,foll[+ ?is 0 an ,a4,p4 /ory1 dat$ ,july #g1 quot+ an unnam$ ,air ,=ce (ficial 9 ,wa%+ton3 8,! fly+ sauc]s may be "o ( ?ree ?+s3 8#a4 ,sol> reflection on l[-hang+ cl\ds4 ,a ,wa%+ton sci5ti/1 ask$ = comm5t1 said ?is 0 h>dly possible4 8#b4 ,small meteors :i* break up1 _! cry/als cat*+ ! rays ( ! sun4 ,b x w\ld seem t !y w\ld h be5 spott$ fall+ & fragm5ts w\ld h be5 f\nd4 8#c4 ,ic+ conditions c\ld h =m$ l>ge hail/ones1 & !y might h flatt5$ out & glid$ a bit1 giv+ ! impression ( horizontal movem5t ev5 ?\gh fall+ v]tically40 ,by ?is "t ev]yone 0 gett+ into ! act4 8,! disks are caus$ by ! transmutation ( atomic en]gy10 said an anonym\s sci5ti/1 suppos$ to be on ! /aff ( ,cali=nia ,te*4 ,! college quickly d5i$ x4 ,dr4 ,vannev> ,bu%1 _w-fam\s sci5ti/1 & ,dr4 ,m]le ,tuve1 inv5tor ( ! proximity fuse1 bo? decl>$ !y w\ld "k ( any secret ,am]ican missiles--& didn't4 ,at ,syracuse1 ,new ,york1 ,dr4 ,h>ry ,/eckel1 ,vet]ans ,adm9i/ration psy*iatri/1 sc(f$ at ! sugge/ion ( mass hy/]ia4 8,too _m sane p are see+ ! ?+s4 ,! gov]nm5t is probably conduct+ "s revolution>y exp]im5ts40 ,on ,july #h m disks 7 report$4 ,out at ,muroc ,air ,=ce ,base1 :]e top-secret planes & devices are te/$1 six fa/-mov+ silv]y-:ite sauc]s 7 se5 by pilots & gr\nd (fic]s4 ,t aft]noon ! ,air ,=ce reveal$ x 0 work+ on a case involv+ a ,navy rocket exp]t nam$ ,c4 ,t4 ,zohm4 ,:ile on a secret ,navy mission to ,new ,mexico1 9 connection ) rocket te/s1 ,zohm _h se5 a bright silv]y disk fly+ above ! des]t4 ,he 0 cross+ ! des]t ) ?ree o!r sci5ti/s :5 he saw ! /range object fla%+ nor?w>d at an altitude ( ab\t t5 ?\s& feet4 8,i'm sure x 0 n a meteor10 said ,zohm4 8,x c\ld h be5 a guid$ missile1 b ,i nev] he>d ( any?+ l x40 ,by ?is "t1 sauc] reports _h come 9 f almo/ =ty /ates4 ,al>m 0 increas+1 & !re 7 dem&s t rad> be us$ to track ! disks4 ,! ,air ,=ce repli$ t !re 0 n en\gh rad> equipm5t to blanket ! nation1 b t its pilots 7 on ! look\t = ! sauc]s4 ,"o report m5tion$ a curi\s report f ,tw9 ,falls1 ,idaho4 ,! disk sight$ !re 0 said to h fl[n s l[ t ! treetops :irl$ z if 9 a viol5t /orm4 ,someone _h phon$ ,purdy ab\t a disk track$ by wea!r-balloon obs]v]s at ,ri*mond1 ,virg9ia4 ,!re 0 ano!r note on a sight+ at ,hickam ,field1 ,honolulu1 & two reports ( unid5tifi$ objects se5 ne> ,an*orage1 ,alaska4 ,a typ$ li/ ( _w-wide sight+s _h be5 made up by ! /aff at ,true4 ,x conta9$ _m cases t 7 new to me1 reports f ,p>aguay1 ,belgium1 ,turkey1 ,holl&1 ,g]many1 & ! ,sc&9avian c\ntries4 ,at ! bottom ( ?is memo ,purdy _h writt53 8,keep *eck+ on rumor t ! ,soviet has a ,project ,sauc]1 too4 ,c\ld be plant$40 ,f ! mass ( reports1 ,john ,du,barry1 ! aviation editor ( ,true1 _h me?odically work$ out an av]age picture ( ! disks3 8,! g5]al report is t !y are r\nd or oval 7?is c\ld be an elliptical object se5 end-on71 metallic look+1 v bright--ei!r %9+ :ite or silv]y color$4 ,!y c move at extremely high spe$1 hov]1 accel]ate rapidly1 & outmaneuv] ord9>y aircraft4 8,! lights are usually se5 s+ly--v few =mations report$4 ,!y seem to h ! same spe$1 accel]ation1 & ability to maneuv]4 ,9 sev]al cases1 !y h be5 able to evade ,air ,=ce planes 9 night enc\nt]s40 ,go+ ov] ! cases1 ,i realiz$ t ,purdy & 8 /aff _h dug up at lea/ fifty reports t _h n appe>$ 9 ! pap]s4 7,a few ( ^! prov$ incorrect1 b a *eck ) ! ,air ,=ce case reports releas$ on ,decemb] #cj1 #aidi1 %[$ t ,true's files conta9$ all ! important items47 ,^! cases includ$ sight+s at elev5 ,air ,=ce bases & f\rte5 ,am]ican airports1 reports f %ips at sea1 & a score ( enc\nt]s by airl9e & private pilots4 ,witnesses includ$ ,army1 ,navy1 ,m>9e ,corps1 & ,air ,=ce (fic]s2 /ate & city police2 ,f4,b4,i4 ag5ts2 wea!r obs]v]s1 %ipma/]s1 a/ronom]s1 & ?\s&s ( good solid ,am]ican citiz5s4 ,i le>n$ lat] t _m witnesses _h be5 inve/igat$ by ! ,f4,b4,i4 to we$ out crackpot reports4 ,i end$ up badly puzzl$4 ,! evid5ce 0 m impressive ?an ,i _h suspect$4 ,x 0 pla9 t _m reports _h be5 entirely suppress$1 or at lea/ kept out ( ! pap]s4 ,!re 0 some?+ om9\s ab\t x4 ,no matt] :at ! answ]1 x 0 s]i\s en\gh to be kept c>efully hidd54 ,if x 7 a ,soviet missile1 ,i ?\ght1 ,god help u4 ,!y'd scoop$ up a lot ( ,nazi sci5ti/s & w> secrets4 ,& ! ,g]mans _h be5 f> ahead ( u on guid$ missiles4 ,b :y w\ld !y give u a two-ye> w>n+1 te/+ ! ?+s op5ly ov] ,am]ica8 ,x didn't make s5se4 ,,*apt] ,,iv ,i w5t to ! ,p5tagon ! next morn+4 ,i didn't expect to le>n mu*1 b ,i want$ to make sure we w]5't tangl+ ) security4 ,i'd work$ ) ,al ,s*ol9 & ,orville ,splitt1 9 ! magaz9e section ( ,public ,relations1 & ,i ?\ght !y'd tell me z mu* z anyone4 ,:5 ,i walk$ 91 ,i sprang x on !m cold4 8,:at's ! *ance ( see+ y\r ,project #8,sauc]' files80 ,al ,s*ol9 took x m or less dead-pan4 ,splitt look$ at me a mom5t & !n gr9n$4 8,don't tell me y believe ! ?+s are real80 8,maybe10 ,i said4 8,h[ ab\t cle>+ me ) ,project #8,sauc]'80 ,al %ook 8 head4 8,x's /ill classifi$ secret40 8#8,look1 ,don10 said ,splitt1 8:y d y want to fool ) t sauc] bus9ess8 ,!re's no?+ to x40 8#8,t's a big *ange f :at ! ,air ,=ce 0 say+2 9 #aidg10 ,i told him4 ,he %rugg$ t (f4 8,! ,air ,=ce has sp5t two ye>s *eck+ into x4 ,ev]ybody f ,sym+ton d[n w tell y ! sauc]s are bunk40 8,t's n :at ,project #8,sauc]' says 9 t ,april report40 8,t report 0 made up a long "t ago10 said ,splitt4 8,!y j got ar\nd to releas+ x40 8,!n !y've got all ! answ]s n[80 8,!y "k !re's no?+ to x10 ,splitt repeat$4 8,9 t case10 ,i said1 8,project #8,sauc]' %\ldn't object to my see+ _! files & pictures40 8,:at pictures80 8,t "o tak5 at ,h>mon ,field1 ,newf\ndl&1 = a />t]40 8,oh1 t ?+10 said ,splitt4 8,x wasn't any?+--j a %ad[ on a cl\d4 ,somebody's be5 kidd+ y40 8,if x's j a cl\d %ad[1 :y c't ,i see x80 ,splitt 0 gett+ a little nettl$4 8,look1 y "k h[ long x takes to declassify /uff4 ,!y j hav5't got ar\nd to x4 ,take my ^w = x1 ! fly+ sauc]s are bunk4 ,i w5t ar\nd ) ,sid ,%allett on "s ( 8 int]views4 ,:at he's got 9 ! ,po/ is ! absolute gospel40 8,x's funny ab\t t ,april tw5ty-sev5? report10 ,i said1 8! way x contradicts ! ,po/40 8,i tell y t 0 an old report--0 8,i w\ldn't say t10 ,al ,s*ol9 put 94 8,! ,air ,=ce doesn't claim x has all ! answ]s4 ,b !y've prov$ a lot ( ! reports 7 hoaxes or mi/akes40 8,j ! same10 ,i said1 8! ,air ,=ce is on record1 z ( ,april tw5ty-sev5?1 t x's s]i\s en\gh = ev]ybody to be vigilant4 ,& !y admit mo/ ( ! ?+s1 9 ! important cases1 are /ill unid5tifi$4 ,includ+ ! sauc] ,mantell 0 *as+40 8,t bus9ess at ,godman ,field 0 "s k9d ( halluc9ation10 insi/$ ,splitt4 8,i suppose all ^? pilots & ,godman ,field (fic]s 7 hypnotiz$8 ,n to m5tion sev]al ?\s& p at ,madisonville & ,=t ,knox80 8,take x easy1 y guys10 said ,al ,s*ol94 8,y've bo? got a "r to y\r op9ions40 8,oh1 sure10 said ,splitt4 ,he look$ at me1 ) 8 gr9 back4 8,i don't c>e if y ?9k !y're m5 f ,m>s40 8,let's n g (f ! deep end10 ,i said4 8,tell me ?is3 ,did ,%allett get to see any secret files at ,wright ,field80 8,absolutely n40 8,!n he _h to take ! ,air ,=ce ^w = ev]y?+80 8,n entirely4 ,we set up "s int]views = him40 8,"o m ?+--& don't get mad4 ,if x's all bunk1 :y hav5't !y clos$ ,project #8,sauc]'80 8,h[ d ,i "k8 ,probably no "o wants to take ! responsibility40 8,!n somebody high up mu/ n ?9k x's bunk10 ,i said4 ,splitt laugh$4 8,h x y\r own way40 ,be=e ,i left1 ,i told !m ,i 0 work+ ) ,true4 8,i want to be on record10 ,i said1 8z hav+ told y ?is4 ,if !re's any security involv$--if y tell me x's some?+ y're work+ on--naturally ,i'll lay (f40 ,al ,s*ol9 said emphatically1 8,x's n an ,air ,=ce device1 if t's :at y mean40 8,"s p ?9k x's ,russian40 8,if x is1 ,i don't "k x10 said ,al1 8& nei!r does ! ,air ,=ce40 ,aft] ,i left ! magaz9e section1 ,i tri$ sev]al (fic]s ,i knew4 ,two ( !m agre$ ) ,splitt4 ,! ?ird didn't4 8,i've be5 told x's all bunk10 he said1 8b y get ! feel+ !y've try+ to conv9ce !mselves4 ,!y act l p ne> a haunt$ h\se4 ,!y'll swe> x isn't haunt$--b !y won't g ne> x40 ,lat]1 ,i ask$ a security major = a copy ( ! ,project 8,sauc]0 report4 8,we're out ( copies "r n[10 he said4 8,i'll s5d y "o next week40 ,i ask$ him bluntly :at he ?\ght ! sauc]s 74 8,i d\bt if anybody has ! full answ]10 he said s]i\sly4 8,!re's be5 "s hy/]ia--also a few mi/akes4 ,b _m reports h be5 made by reliable pilots1 includ+ our own4 ,y c't laugh ^? (f40 ,z ,i drove home1 ,i ?\ght ov] :at ,i'd he>d4 ,all ,i _h le>n$ 0 t ! ,air ,=ce seem$ divid$4 ,b t c\ld be a smoke scre54 ,9 less ?an tw5ty-f\r h\rs1 ,i receiv$ my fir/ suspici\s tip4 ,x 0 ab\t t5 ,a4,m4 :5 my phone rang4 8,mr4 ,keyhoe8 ,?is is ,john ,/eele10 said ! voice at ! o!r end4 7,because ( ! peculi> role he play$1 !n & lat]1 ,i h n us$ 8 real "n47 8,i'm a =m] ,air ,=ce ,intellig5ce (fic]4 ,i 0 9 ! ,european !at] dur+ ! w>40 ,i wait$4 ,he hesitat$ a mom5t4 8,i he>d y're work+ on ! fly+-sauc] problem10 he said quickly4 8,i may h "s in=mation t w\ld int]e/ y40 8,m9d tell+ me :o told y ,i 0 on x80 ,i ask$4 8,no "o1 directly4 ,i j happ5$ to he> x m5tion$ at ! ,press ,club4 ,frankly1 ,i've be5 curi\s ab\t ! fly+ sauc]s ev] s9ce '#de40 ,t />tl$ me1 b ,i didn't tell him s4 8,d y h any idea :at !y are80 ,mr4 ,/eele said4 8,no1 ,i've j begun *eck+4 ,b ,i'd be glad to he> :at y've got40 8,i may be way (f10 said ,/eele4 8,b ,i've always wond]$ ab\t ! #8foo fight]s' our pilots saw ov] ,europe ne> ! end ( ! w>40 ,i ?\ght = a second4 8,wasn't t "s k9d ( antiaircraft missile fir$ f ! gr\nd80 8,no4 ,intellig5ce nev] did get any real answ]1 s f> z ,i "k4 ,!y 7 "s k9d ( circul> gadgets1 & !y actually *as$ our planes a numb] ( times4 ,we ?\ght !y 7 some?+ ! ,nazis _h inv5t$--& ,i /ill ?9k s40 8,!n :o's laun*+ !m n[80 8,well1 x's obvi\sly ei!r ,russia or u4 ,if x is ! ,soviet--well1 t's :at's worri$ me4 ,i don't ?9k x %\ld be treat$ l a joke1 ! way "s p 9 ! ,p5tagon take x40 ,i />$ at ! phone1 try+ to figure him out4 8,i'd l to talk x ov] ) y10 ,i said4 8,maybe y've got some?+40 8,i've giv5 y ab\t all ,i "k10 ,/eele answ]$4 8,!re 0 an ,intellig5ce report y might try to see--! ,eigh? ,air ,=ce files %\ld h x40 8,wait a m9ute10 ,i said4 8,give me y\r numb]1 9 case ,i f9d any?+40 ,he gave x to me )\t app>5t hesitation4 ,i ?ank$ him & hung up1 /ill wond]+4 ,if x 0 an attempt at a plant1 x 0 c]ta9ly crude4 ,! m5tion ( 8 =m] ,air ,=ce connection w\ld be en\gh to ar\se suspicion1 unless he c\nt$ on 8 app>5t frankness to (fset x4 ,& :at ab\t ! ,press ,club angle8 ,t w\ld indicate ,/eele 0 a newspap]man4 ,c\ld ?is be m]ely an attempt to pump me & get a lead on ,true's inve/igation8 ,b t w\ld be j z crude z ! o!r idea4 ,( c\rse1 he might be s9c]e4 ,b reg>dless ( 8 motives1 x look$ bad4 ,arid :o _h told him ab\t me8 ,i ?\ght ab\t t = a m9ute4 ,!n ,i pick$ up ! phone & dial$ ,jack ,daly's numb]4 8,jack1 d y "k anyone nam$ ,john ,/eele80 ,i ask$ him4 8,i ?9k he's a newspap]man40 8,nobody ,i "k10 said ,jack4 8,:y1 :at's up80 ,i expla9$1 & add$1 8,i ?\ght maybe y knew him1 & he'd he>d ab\t x f y40 8,hell1 no10 said ,jack4 8,y ought to "k ,i w\ldn't leak any tip l t40 8,x w\ldn't be a tip--,i don't "k any?+ ab\t ?is deal yet4 ,by ! way1 :5 y 7 on ! ,/> did y h&le any?+ on #8foo fight]s'80 8,no1 t 0 aft] ,i left !re4 ,bill ,%ipp5 w\ld h cov]$ t1 anyway40 ,i told him ,i w\ld look x up 9 ! ,/>'s morgue4 ,jack said he w\ld meet me !re at ?ree o'clock2 9 ! meantime he w\ld see :at he c\ld f9d out ab\t ,/eele4 ,jack 0 a little late1 & ,i w5t ov] ! ,/>'s file on ! foo fight]s4 ,mo/ ( ! facts 7 cov]$ 9 a /ory dat$ ,july #f1 #aidg1 :i* _h be5 inspir$ by ! outbreak ( ! sauc] sc>e4 ,i copi$ x = lat] use3 ,dur+ ! latt] "p ( ,_w ,w> ,two1 fight] pilots 9 ,engl& 7 conv9c$ t ,hitl] _h a new secret weapon4 ,yanks dubb$ ^! devices 8foo fight]s0 or 8,kraut fireballs40 ,"o ( ! ,air ,=ce ,intellig5ce m5 n[ assign$ to *eck on ! sauc] sc>e 0 an (fic] :o inve/igat$ /atem5ts ( milit>y airm5 t circul> foo fight]s 7 se5 ov] ,europe & also on ! bomb+ r\te to ,japan4 ,x 0 report$ t ,intellig5ce (fic]s h nev] obta9$ satisfactory explanation ( reports ( fly+ silv] balls & disks ov] ,nazi-occupi$ ,europe 9 ! w9t] ( #aidd-de4 ,lat]1 crews ( ,b-#bi',s on bomb+ runs to ,japan report$ see+ some:at simil> objects4 ,9 ,europe1 "s foo fight]s danc$ j (f ! ,alli$ fight]s' w+tips & play$ tag ) !m 9 p[] dives4 ,o!rs appe>$ 9 precise =mations & on "o occasion a :ole bomb] crew saw ab\t #ae foll[+ at a di/ance1 _! /range gl[ fla%+ on & (f4 ,"o foo fight] *as$ ,lieut5ant ,mei]s ( ,*icago "s #bj miles d[n ! ,rh9e ,valley1 at #cjj m4p4h41 an ,a4,p4 w> correspond5t report$4 ,intellig5ce (fic]s believ$ at t "t t ! balls might be rad>-controll$ objects s5t up to f\l ignition sy/ems or baffle ,alli$ rad> networks4 ,!re is no explanation ( _! appe>ance "h1 unless ! objects c\ld h be5 import$ = secret te/s 9 ?is c\ntry4 ,i read ! la/ p>agraph twice4 ,?is look$ l a /rong lead to ! answ]1 9 spite ( ! ,air ,=ce d5ials4 ,!re 0 ano!r1 less pleasant possibility4 ,! ,russians c\ld h seiz$ ! device & develop$ x secretly1 us+ ,nazi sci5ti/s to help !m4 ,p]haps ! ,nazis _h be5 close to an atomic eng9e1 ev5 if !y did fail to produce ! bomb4 ,jack ,daly came 9 :ile ,i 0 read+ ! /ory aga94 8,i got ! dope on ,/eele10 he said4 8,he does pieces = a small syndicate1 & ,i f\nd out he 0 9 ! ,air ,=ce4 ,i ?9k he 0 a capta94 ,p :o "k him say he's ,o4,k4--a /raight %oot]40 8,t /ill w\ldn't keep him f giv+ me a fake tip1 if somebody told him x 0 ! "r ?+ to d40 8,maybe n10 said ,jack1 8b :y w\ld !y want to plant ?is foo-fight] idea80 ,i %[$ him ! clipp+4 ,he read x ov] & %ook 8 head4 8,t's a lot diff]5t f disks ?ree hundr$ feet 9 diamet]40 8,if we got ! pr9ciple--or ,russia did-build+ big ones might n be too h>d40 8,i /ill c't swall[ x10 said ,jack4 8,^! ?+s h be5 se5 all ov] ! _w4 ,h[ c\ld !y control !m t f> away--& be sure !y w\ldn't cra%1 :]e somebody c\ld get a look & dope out ! secret80 ,we argu$ x back & =? )\t gett+ any:]e4 8,i'd give a lot to "k ,/eele's angle10 ,i said4 8,if y he> any?+ m on him1 give me a buzz40 ,jack nodd$4 8,i'll see :at ,i c d4 ,b ,i c't dig too h>d1 or he'll he> ab\t x40 ,on ! way out1 ,i f\nd a phone boo? & call$ ,splitt4 8,foo fight]s80 he said4 8,sure1 ,i rememb] ^? /ories4 ,y ?9k ^? are y\r fly+ sauc]s80 ,i c\ld he> him snick]4 8,j *eck+ angles10 ,i said4 8,didn't ! ,eigh? ,air ,=ce inve/igate ! foo fight]s80 8,yes1 & !y f\nd no?+ to back up ! pilots' y>ns4 j w> n]ves1 app>5tly40 8,h[ ab\t a look at ! ,intellig5ce report80 ,i ask$4 8,wait a m9ute40 ,splitt 0 gone = twice t "t1 !n he c>ne back4 8,sorry1 x's classifi$40 8,if all ?is /uff is bunk1 :y keep ! lid on x80 ,i dem&$4 ,i 0 gett+ sore aga94 8,look1 ,don10 said ,splitt1 8,i don't make ! rules40 8,sure1 ,i "k--sorry10 ,i said4 ,i _h a notion to ask him if he knew ,john ,/eele1 b hung up in/ead4 ,!re 0 no use 9 bang+ my head aga9/ ! ,air ,=ce wall4 ,! next day ,i decid$ to analyze ! ,mantell case f beg9n+ to end4 ,x look$ l ! key to "o angle3 ! "q ( an ,air ,=ce secret missile4 ,unless !re 0 "s slip-up1 s t ,mantell & 8 pilots _h be5 ord]$ to *ase ! disk by mi/ake1 !n x w\ld be cold murd]4 ,i c\ldn't believe any ,air ,=ce (fic] w\ld give su* an ord]1 no matt] h[ trem5d\s ! secret to be hidd54 ,b ,i 0 go+ to f9d out1 if possible4 ,,*apt] ,v ,= m ?an two weeks1 ,i *eck$ on ! ,godman ,field trag$y4 ,"o fact /ood out at ! />t3 ,! dea? ( ,mantell _h _h a pr(\nd effect on _m 9 ! ,air ,=ce4 ,a doz5 times ,i 0 told3 8,i ?\ght ! sauc]s 7 a joke-until ,mantell 0 kill$ *as+ t ?+ at ,=t ,knox40 ,_m rank+ (fic]s :o _h laugh$ at ! sauc] sc>e /opp$ sc(f+4 ,"o ( ^! 0 ,g5]al ,sory ,smi?1 n[ ,deputy ,director ( ,air ,=ce ,public ,relations4 ,lat] 9 my inve/igation1 ,g5]al ,smi? told me3 8,x 0 ! ,mantell case t got me4 ,i knew ,tommy ,mantell4 v well--also ,colonel ,hix1 ! ,c4,o4 at ,godman4 ,i knew !y 7 bo? intellig5t m5--n ! k9d to be imag9+ ?+s40 ,= fifte5 mon?s1 ! ,air ,=ce kept a tight-lipp$ sil5ce4 ,meantime1 rumors began to spread4 ,"o report said t ,mantell _h be5 %ot1 8 body riddl$ ) bullets2 8 ,p-#ea1 also riddl$1 _h simply dis9tegrat$4 ,ano!r rumor report$ ,mantell z hav+ be5 kill$ by "s my/]i\s =ce2 ?is same =ce _h also de/roy$ 8 fight]4 ,! ,air ,=ce1 ! rumors said1 _h cov]$ up ! tru? by tell+ ,mantell's family he _h black$ out f lack ( oxyg54 ,*eck+ ! la/ angle1 ,i f\nd t ?is 0 ! explanation giv5 to ,mantell's "m1 j aft] 8 dea?1 %e 0 told by ,/&i=d ,field (fic]s t he _h fl[n too high 9 *as+ ! /range object4 ,%allet1 9 ! ,saturday ,ev5+ ,po/ articles1 describ$ ,project 8,sauc]'s0 recon/ruction ( ! case4 ,mantell 0 said to h climb$ up to #be1jjj feet1 despite 8 firm decision to end ! *ase at #bj1jjj1 s9ce he c>ri$ no oxyg54 ,ar\nd #be1jjj feet1 ,%allett quot$ ! ,air ,=ce inve/igators1 ,mantell mu/ h lo/ consci\sness4 ,aft] ?is1 8 pilotless plane climb$ on up to "s #cj1jjj feet1 !n div$4 ,betwe5 #bj1jjj & #aj1jjj feet1 ,%allett sugge/$1 ! ,p-#ea began to dis9tegrate1 obvi\sly f excessive spe$4 ,! gleam+ object t hypnotiz$ ,mantell into ?is fatal climb 01 ,%allett said1 ei!r ! planet ,v5us or a ,navy cosmic-ray rese>* balloon4 ,! ,air ,=ce ,project 8,sauc]0 report ( ,april #bg1 #aidi1 releas$ j aft] ! fir/ ,po/ article1 makes ^! /atem5ts3 8,five m9utes aft] ,mantell disappe>$ f 8 =mation1 ! two rema9+ planes return$ to ,godman4 ,a few m9utes lat]1 "o resum$ ! se>*1 cov]+ t]ritory #ajj miles to ! s\? z high z #cc1jjj feet1 b f\nd no?+4 8,subsequ5t inve/igation reveal$ t ,mantell _h probably black$ out at #bj1jjj feet f lack ( oxyg5 & _h di$ ( suffocation be=e ! cra%4 8,! my/]i\s object :i* ! fly] *as$ to 8 dea? 0 fir/ id5tifi$ z ! ,planet ,v5us4 ,h[ev]1 fur!r prob+ %[$ ! elevation & azimu? read+s ( ,v5us & ! object at specifi$ "t int]vals did n co9cide4 8,x is /ill consid]$ #8,unid5tifi$4' ,! ,v5us explanation1 ev5 ?\gh n[ d5i$1 puzzl$ me4 ,x 0 pla9 t ! ,air ,=ce _h s]i\sly consid]$ (f]+ x z ! answ] !n ab&on$ x4 ,app>5tly someone _h got 8 signals mix$ & let ,%allett use ! disc>d$ answ]4 ,& = "s unkn[n reason1 ! ,air ,=ce _h f\nd x imp]ative to d5y ! ,v5us /ory at once4 ,9 ^! fir/ weeks ( *eck+1 ,i _h run onto ! ,v5us explanation 9 o!r cases4 ,sev]al ,air ,=ce (fic]s repeat$ x s quickly t x _h ! s\nd ( a /ock alibi4 ,b 9 ! daytime cases ?is 0 almo/ ridicul\s4 ,i knew ( a few in/ances 9 ,_w ,w> ,,ii :5 bomb] crews & antiaircraft gunn]s _h loos$ a few bur/s at ,v5us4 ,b ?is 0 mo/ly at night1 :5 ! planet 0 at peak brilliance4 ,& m ?an "o gunn] lat] admitt$ fir+ to relieve long h\rs ( bor$om4 ,s9ce enemy planes did n c>ry lights1 !re 0 no au!ntic case1 to my k1 :]e plane or gr\nd gunn]s actually believ$ ,v5us 0 an enemy aircraft4 ,*eck+ ! a/ronom]'s report1 ,i read ov] ! conclud+ /atem5t3 8,x simply c\ld n h be5 ,v5us4 ,!y mu/ h be5 desp]ate ev5 to sugge/ x 9 ! fir/ place40 ,mon?s lat]1 9 ! secret ,project 8,sauc]0 report releas$ ,decemb] #cj1 #aidi1 ,i f\nd (ficial confirmation ( ?is a/ronom]'s op9ions4 ,s9ce x has a peculi> be>+ on ! ,mantell case1 ,i am quot+ x n[3 ,:5 ,v5us is at its greate/ brilliance1 x is possible to see x dur+ daytime :5 "o kn[s exactly :]e to look4 ,b on ,janu>y #g1 #aidh1 ,v5us 0 less ?an half z bright z its peak brilliance4 ,h[ev]1 "u exceptionally good atmosph]ic conditions1 & ) ! eye %ield$ f direct rays ( ! sun1 ,v5us might be se5 z an exce$+ly t9y bright po9t ( light4 4 4 4 ,h[ev]1 ! *ances ( look+ at j ! "r spot are v few4 ,x has be5 un(ficially report$ t ! object 0 a ,navy cosmic-ray rese>* balloon4 ,if ?is c be e/abli%$1 x ,is to be pref]r$ z an explanation4 ,h[ev]1 if "o accepts ! assumption t reports f v>i\s o!r localities ref] to ! same object1 any su* device mu/ h be5 a good _m miles high--#be to #ej--;9 ord] to h be5 se5 cle>ly1 almo/ simultane\sly1 f places #age miles ap>t4 ,if all reports 7 ( a s+le object1 9 ! k ( ?is inve/igator no man-made object c\ld h be5 l>ge en\gh & f> en\gh away = ! approximate simultane\s sight+s4 ,x is mo/ unlikely1 h[ev]1 t s _m sep>at$ p]sons %\ld at t "t h *anc$ on ,v5us 9 ! daylight sky4 ,x seems !re=e mu* m probable t m ?an "o object 0 involv$4 ,! sight+ might h includ$ two or m balloons 7or aircraft7 or !y might h includ$ ,v5us & balloons4 ,= reasons giv5 above1 ! latt] explanation seems m likely4 ,two ?+s /& out 9 8 report3 #a4 ,! obvi\s det]m9ation to fit "s explanation1 no matt] h[ f>fet*$1 to ! ,mantell sight+4 #b4 ,! impossibility t ,v5us--a t9y po9t ( light1 se5 only ) difficulty--0 ! trem5d\s metallic object describ$ by ,mantell & se5 by ,godman ,field (fic]s4 ,) ,v5us elim9at$1 ,i w5t to "w on ! balloon !ory4 ,s9ce ,i _h be5 a balloon pilot be=e le>n+ to fly planes1 ?is 0 fairly famili> gr\nd4 ,%allett's alt]nate !ory t ,mantell _h *as$ a ,navy rese>* balloon 0 widely repeat$ by read]s unfamili> ) balloon op]ation4 ,few ?\ght to *eck ! spe$s1 heights1 & di/ances involv$4 ,cosmic-ray rese>* balloons are n p[]$2 !y are set free to drift ) ! w9d4 ,?is p>ticul> ,navy type is releas$ at a base ne> ,m9neapolis4 ,! gas bag is fill$ ) only a small p] c5t ( its helium capacity be=e ! take-(f4 ,9 a r\t9e flight1 ! balloon asc5ds rapidly to a v high altitude-z high z #ajj1jjj feet4 ,by ?is "t ! gas bag has swell$ to full size1 ab\t l#jj feet high & #gj feet 9 diamet]4 ,at a set "t1 a device releases ! case ( in/rum5ts "u ! balloon4 ,! in/rum5ts desc5d by p>a*ute1 & ! balloon1 ris+ quickly1 explodes f ! sudd5 expansion4 ,occasionally a balloon />ts leak+1 & x !n rema9s relatively l[4 ,at fir/ glance1 ?is might seem ! answ] to ! ,k5tucky sight+s4 ,if ! balloon 7 l[ en\gh1 x w\ld loom up z a l>ge circul> object1 z se5 f directly bel[4 ,"s witnesses might e/imate its diamet] z #bej feet or m1 in/ead ( its actual #gj feet4 ,b ?is failure to recognize a balloon w\ld require incr$ibly poor vision on ! "p ( tra9$ obs]v]s--/ate police1 ,army ,m4,p4's1 ! ,godman ,field (fic]s1 ,mantell & 8 pilots4 ,capta9 ,mantell 0 a w>time pilot1 ) ov] ?ree ?\s& h\rs 9 ! air4 ,he 0 tra9$ to id5tify a di/ant enemy plane 9 a split second4 ,8 vision 0 p]fect1 & s 0 t ( 8 pilots4 ,9 broad daylight !y c\ld n fail to recognize a balloon dur+ _! ?irty-m9ute *ase4 ,colonel ,hix & ! o!r ,godman (fic]s wat*$ ! object ) high-p[]$ glasses = long p]iods4 ,x is incr$ible t !y w\ld n id5tify x z a balloon4 ,be=e its appe>ance ov] ,godman ,field1 ! leak+ balloon w\ld h drift$1 at a l[ altitude1 ov] sev]al hundr$ miles4 7,a leak l>ge en\gh to br+ x d[n f high altitude w\ld h caus$ x to l& & be f\nd47 ,drift+ at a l[ altitude1 x w\ld h be5 se5 by sev]al hundr$ ?\s& p1 at ! v lea/4 ,_m w\ld h report$ x z a balloon4 ,b ev5 if ?is angle is ignor$ x /ill c\ld n possibly h be5 a balloon at l[ altitude4 ,! fa/ flight f ,madisonville1 ! abrupt /op & h\r-long hov]+ at ,godman ,field1 ! quick bur/s ( spe$ ,mantell report$ make x impossible4 ,to fly ! g miles f ,madisonville to ,=t ,knox 9 #cj m9utes1 a balloon w\ld require a w9d ( #ahj m4p4h4 ,aft] travel+ at ?is hurricane spe$1 x w\ld !n h _h to come to a dead /op above ,godman ,field4 ,z ! ,p-#ea's approa*$1 x w\ld h _h to spe$ tip aga9 to #ahj1 !n to m ?an #cfj to keep ahead ( ,mantell4 ,! ?ree fight] pilots *as$ ! my/]i\s object = half an h\r4 7,i h sev]al times *as$ balloons ) a plane1 ov]tak+ !m 9 seconds47 ,9 a /raight *ase1 ,mantell w\ld h be5 clos+ 9 at #cfj2 ! tail w9d act+ on 8 fight] w\ld nullify ! balloon's =w>d drift4 ,b ev5 if y accept ^! improbable factors1 !re is "o f9al fact t nullifies ! balloon explanation4 ,! /range object _h disappe>$ :5 ,mantell's w+man se>*$ ! sky1 j aft] ! lead]'s dea?4 ,if x _h be5 a balloon held /ation>y = an h\r at a high altitude1 & gl[+ brightly en\gh to be se5 ?r\gh cl\ds1 x w\ld h rema9$ visible 9 ! same g5]al position4 ,se5 f #cc1jjj feet1 x w\ld h be5 ev5 bright]1 because ( ! cle>] air4 ,b ! my/]i\s object _h completely vani%$ 9 ^? few m9utes4 ,a se>* cov]+ a hundr$ miles fail$ to reveal a trace4 ,:e!r at a high or l[ altitude1 a balloon c\ld n h escap$ ! pilot's eyes4 ,x w\ld also h cont9u$ to be se5 at ,godman ,field & o!r po9ts1 ?r\gh occasional breaks 9 ! cl\ds4 ,i po9t$ out ^! facts to "o ,air ,=ce (fic] at ! ,p5tagon4 ,next day he phon$ me3 8,i figur$ x out4 ,! tim+ device w5t (f & ! balloon explod$4 ,t's :y ! pilot didn't see x40 8,x's an odd co9cid5ce10 ,i said1 8t x explod$ 9 ^? five m9utes aft] ,mantell's la/ report40 8,ev5 s1 x's obvi\sly ! answ]10 he said4 ,*eck+ on ?is angle1 ,i f\nd3 #a4 ,no "o 9 ! ,k5tucky area _h report$ a desc5d+ p>a*ute4 #b4 ,no cosmic-ray rese>* in/rum5t case or p>a*ute 0 f\nd 9 ! area4 #c4 ,no in/rum5ts 7 return$ to ! ,navy f ?is region4 ,& all balloons & in/rum5ts releas$ at t "t 7 fully acc\nt$ =4 ,ev5 if x _h be5 a balloon1 x w\ld n expla9 ! lat] ,janu>y #g? reports--! simultane\s sight+s m5tion$ by ,pr(essor ,hynek 9 ! ,project 8,sauc]0 report4 ,?is includes ! ?+ se5 at ,lockb\rne ,air ,=ce ,base two h\rs aft] ,mantell's dea?4 ,obvi\sly1 ! sauc] se5 fly+ at #ejj m4p4h4 ov] ,lockb\rne ,field c\ld n h be5 a balloon4 ,ev5 if !re _h be5 sev]al balloons 9 ?is area 7& !re 7 n1 by (ficial record71 !y c\ld n h cov]$ ! c\rses report$4 ,9 "s cases1 !y w\ld h be5 fly+ aga9/ ! w9d1 at t]rific spe$4 ,!n :at 0 ! my/]i\s object8 ,& :at kill$ ,mantell8 ,bo? ! ,air ,=ce & ! ,po/ articles speculate t ,mantell c>elessly let himself black out4 ,s9ce "s explanation _h to be giv51 ?is might seem a good answ]4 ,b ,mantell 0 kn[n = coolhead$ judgm5t4 ,z a w>time pilot1 he 0 famili> ) signs ( anoxia 7oxyg5 />vation74 ,t he knew 8 tol]ance = altitude is prov$ by 8 firmly decl>$ int5tion to ab&on ! *ase at #bj1jjj feet1 s9ce he _h no oxyg5 equipm5t4 ,mantell _h 8 altimet] to w>n him4 ,f exp]i5ce1 he w\ld recognize ! fir/ vague blurr+1 n>r[+ ( vision1 & o!r signs ( anoxia4 ,despite ?is1 ! 8black\t0 explanation 0 accept$ z plausible by _m ,am]icans4 ,:ile inve/igat+ ! ,mantell case1 ,i talk$ ) sev]al pilots & a]onautical eng9e]s4 ,sev]al que/ion$ t a ,p-#ea />t+ a dive f #bj1jjj feet w\ld h dis9tegrat$ s ?or\ghly4 8,f ?irty ?\s& feet1 yes10 said "o eng9e]4 8,if ! idea 0 to expla9 x away1 ,i'd pick a high altitude to />t f4 ,b a pilotless plane doesn't necess>ily dive1 z y "k4 8,x might slip (f & sp91 or spiral d[n1 & a few h ev5 l&$ !mselves4 ,also1 if ! plane />t$ d[n f tw5ty ?\s&1 ! pilot w\ldn't be too f> black$ out4 ,! odds are he'd come to :5 he got into ?ick] air--admitt+ he did blur out1 :i* is only an ,air ,=ce guess4 ,i don't see :y !y're s positive ,mantell di$ be=e he hit ! gr\nd--unless !y "k some?+ we don't40 ,"o ( ! pilot gr\p put x m bluntly4 8,x looks l a cov]-up to me4 ,i ?9k ,mantell did j :at he said he w\ld--close 9 on ! ?+4 ,i ?9k he ei!r collid$ ) x1 or m likely !y knock$ him out ( ! air4 ,!y'd ?9k he 0 try+ to br+ !m d[n1 b>g+ 9 l t40 ,ev5 if y accept ! black\t answ]1 x /ill does n expla9 :at ,mantell 0 *as+4 x is possible t1 excit$ by ! huge1 my/]i\s object1 he recklessly climb$ beyond ! dang] level1 ?\gh su* an act 0 completely at odds ) 8 "*4 ,b ! id5tity ( ! ?+ rema9s--(ficially--a my/]y4 ,if x 0 "s weird exp]im5tal craft or a guid$ missile1 !n ^: 0 x8 ,air ,=ce (fic]s _h repeat$ly told me !y _h no su* device4 ,g5]al ,c>l ,t\hy ,spaatz1 =m] ,air ,=ce *ief1 _h publicly insi/$ t no su* weapon _h be5 develop$ 9 8 regime4 ,secret>y ,sym+ton & ,g5]al ,hoyt ,v&5b]g1 pres5t ,air ,=ce *ief1 _h be5 equally emphatic4 ,( c\rse1 (ficial d5ials c\ld be expect$ if x 7 a top-level secret4 ,b if x 7 a secret device1 w\ld x be te/$ s publicly t ?\s&s w\ld see x8 ,if x 7 an ,air ,=ce device1 !n ,i c\ld see only "o answ] = ! ,godman ,field incid5t3 ,! ?+ 0 su* a closely gu>d$ secret t ev5 ,colonel ,hix hadn't kn[n4 ,t w\ld mean t mo/ or all ,air ,=ce ,base ,c4,o4's 7 also 9 ignorance ( ! secret device4 ,c\ld x be a ,navy exp]im5t1 kept secret f ! ,air ,=ce8 ,i did a little *eck+4 ,admiral ,calv9 ,bol/]1 *ief ( a]onautics rese>* exp]im5tal craft1 0 an ,annapolis classmate ( m9e4 ,s 0 ,capta9 ,delm] ,s4 ,fahrney1 head ( ! ,navy guid$-missile program4 ,fahrney 0 at ,po9t ,mugu1 missile-te/+ base 9 ,cali=nia1 & ,i wasn't able to see him4 ,b ,i knew him z a c>eful1 consci5ti\s (fic]2 ,i c't believe he w\ld let su* a device1 pilot$ or n1 hov] ov] an ,air ,=ce base ) no w>n+ to its ,c4,o4 ,i saw ,admiral ,bol/]4 ,8 d5ial seem$ g5u9e2 unless he'd got to be a dead-pan pok] play] s9ce our e>li] days1 ,i 0 sure he 0 tell+ ! tru?4 ,! only o!r alt]nate 0 ,russia4 ,x 0 incr$ible t !y w\ld develop su* a device & !n expose x to ! gaze ( ,u4,s4 ,air ,=ce (fic]s4 ,x c\ld be photograph$1 its spe$ & maneuv]ability *eck$2 x might cra%1 or antiaircraft fire might br+ x d[n1 ,! secret might be lo/ 9 "o su* te/ flight4 ,!re 0 "o o!r explanation3 ,! ?+ 0 n int5d$ to be se52 x _h got out ( control4 ,9 ?is ev5t2 ! long hov]+ p]iod at ,godman ,field 0 caus$ by ! ne$ = repairs inside ! fly+ sauc]1 or repairs to remote-control app>atus4 ,if x 7 ,air ,=ce or ,navy1 t w\ld expla9 (ficial conc]n2 ev5 if completely free ( neglig5ce1 ! s]vice responsible w\ld be blam$ = ,mantell's dea?4 ,if x 7 ,russian1 ! ,air ,=ce w\ld ( c\rse try to conceal ! fact = fe> ( public hy/]ia4 ,b if ! device 0 ,am]ican1 x meant t ,project 8,sauc]0 0 a cov]-up unit4 ,:ile pret5d+ to inve/igate1 x w\ld actually hu% up reports1 make false explanations1 & safegu>d ! secret 9 e possible way4 ,also1 ! report$ ord] = ,air ,=ce pilots to pursue ! disks w\ld h to be a fake4 ,in/ead1 !re w\ld be a secret ord] tell+ !m to avoid /range objects 9 ! sky4 ,by ! "t ,i f9i%$ my *eck-up1 ,i 0 sure ( "o ?+3 ,?is p>ticul> sauc] _h be5 real4 ,i 0 almo/ positive ( "o o!r po9t-t ! ?+ _h be5 ov] #cj miles high dur+ "p ( its flight4 ,i f\nd t aft] ,mantell's dea? x 0 report$ simultane\sly f ,madisonville1 ,elizabe?t[n1 & ,lex+ton--ov] a di/ance ( #age miles4 7,pr(essor ,hynek's analysis lat] confirm$ ?is47 ,h[ l[ x _h be5 :ile hov]+ ov] ,godman1 & dur+ ,mantell's *ase1 !re 0 no way to det]m9e4 ,b all ! evid5ce po9t$ to a swift asc5t aft] ,mantell's la/ report4 ,_h ,mantell told ,godman ,t[] m ?an ! ,air ,=ce admitt$8 ,i w5t back to ! ,p5tagon & ask$ = a full transcript ( ! flight lead]'s radio messages4 ,i got a quick turn-d[n4 ,! reports1 ,i 0 told1 7 /ill classifi$ z secret4 ,reque/s = pictures ( ! ,p-#ea wreckage1 & = a report on ! condition ( ,mantell's body1 also drew a blank4 ,i _h he>d t "s photographs 7 tak5 ( ! ,godman ,field sauc] f outside ! t[]4 ,b ! ,air ,=ce d5i$ k ( any su* pictures4 ,puzzl+ ov] ! riddle1 ,i rememb]$ ,john ,/eele1 ! =m] ,intellig5ce capta94 ,if by any *ance he 0 a plant1 x w\ld be int]e/+ to sugge/ ! v>i\s answ]s & wat* 8 reaction4 ,:5 ,i phon$ him to sugge/ lun*eon1 ,/eele accept$ at once4 ,we met at ! ,occid5tal1 on ,p5nsylvania ,av5ue4 ,/eele 0 y\ng] ?an ,i _h expect$--n ov] tw5ty-five4 ,he 0 a tall man1 ) a crew haircut & ! build ( a football play]4 ,look+ at him ! fir/ "t1 ,i expect$ a c]ta9 breez9ess4 in/ead1 he 0 almo/ solemn4 8,i owe y an apology10 he said 9 a c>eful voice aft] we'd ord]$4 8,y probably "k ,i'm a syndicate writ]80 ,i wond]$ if he'd f\nd out ,jack ,daly 0 *eck+ on him4 8,:5 y m5tion$ ! ,press ,club10 ,i said1 8,i ga!r$ y 7 9 ! bus9ess40 8,i'm afraid y ?\ght ,i 0 fi%+ = a lead40 ,/eele look$ at me e>ne/ly4 8,i'm n work+ on ! /ory--,i'm ti$ up on o!r /uff40 8,=get x10 ,i told him4 ,he seem$ anxi\s to reassure me4 8,i'd be5 worri$ = "s "t ab\t ! sauc]s4 ,i call$ y t night on an impulse40 8,glad y did10 ,i said4 8,i ne$ e tip ,i c get40 8,did x help y any80 8,yes1 ?\gh x /ill doesn't fit toge!r4 ,b ,i c tell y ?is3 ,! sauc]s are real1 or at lea/ "o ( !m40 8,:i* "o80 8,! ?+ ,capta9 ,mantell 0 *as+ ne> ,=t ,knox1 be=e he di$40 8,oh1 t "o40 ,/eele look$ d[n at ! roll he 0 butt]+4 8,i ?\ght t case 0 fully expla9$4 ,wasn't he *as+ a balloon80 8,! ,air ,=ce says x's /ill unid5tifi$40 ,i told him :at ,i _h le>n$4 8,app>5tly y're "r--x's ei!r an ,am]ican or a ,soviet missile40 8,aft] :at y've told me10 said ,/eele1 8,i c't believe x's ours4 ,x mu/ be ,russian40 8,!y'd be pretty /upid to te/ x ov] "h40 8,y said x 0 probably out ( control40 8,t p>ticul> "o1 maybe4 ,b !re h be5 sev]al hundr$ se5 ov] "h4 ,if !y f\nd _! controls 7 haywire1 !y w\ldn't keep te/+ ! ?+s until !y'd correct$ t40 ,! wait] came ) ! s\p1 & ,/eele 0 sil5t until he left4 8,i /ill c't believe x's our weapon10 he said sl[ly4 8,!y w\ldn't h ,air ,=ce pilots al]t$ to *ase ! ?+s4 ,& ,i happ5 to h[ !y d40 8,!re's some?+ que] ab\t ?is missile angle10 ,i said4 8,t sauc] 0 se5 at ! same "t by p a hundr$ & sev5ty-five miles ap>t4 ,to be t high 9 ! sky1 & /ill look m ?an two hundr$ & fifty feet 9 diamet]1 x mu/ h be5 enorm\s40 ,/eele didn't answ] = a mom5t4 8,obvi\sly1 t 0 an illusion10 he f9ally answ]$4 8,i'd disc\nt ^? e/imates40 8,ev5 ,mantell's8 ,& ! ,godman ,field (fic]s'80 8,n kn[+ ! ?+'s height1 h[ c\ld !y judge accurately80 8,to be se5 at po9ts t f> ap>t1 x _h to be ov] ?irty miles high10 ,i told him4 8,x w\ld h to be huge to %[ up at all40 ,he %ook 8 head4 8,i c't believe ^? reports are "r4 ,x mu/ h be5 sight$ at diff]5t times40 ,i let x drop4 8,:at are y work+ on n[80 ,/eele ask$1 aft] a m9ute or two4 ,i said ,i hadn't decid$4 ,actually1 ,i plann$ a trip to ! coa/1 to int]view pilots :o _h sight$ fly+ disks4 8,:at w\ld y d if y f\nd x wasn't a ,soviet missile80 said ,/eele4 ,he s\nd$ almo/ too casual4 8,if security 0 involv$1 ,i'd keep /ill4 ,b ! ,air ,=ce & ! ,navy swe> !y hav5't any su* ?+s40 ,/eele look$ at me ?\ghtfully4 8,y "k1 ,true might =ce some?+ into ! op5 t w\ld be bett] left secret40 ,he smil$ ironically4 8,i realize t s\nds peculi>1 s9ce ,i sugge/$ ! ,russian angle4 ,b if x isn't ,russian--?\gh ,i /ill ?9k x is--!n we h no?+ to worry ab\t40 ,i 0 almo/ sure n[ t he 0 a plant4 ,dur+ ! re/ ( ! lun*eon1 ,i tri$ to draw him out1 b ,/eele 0 ?r\gh talk+4 ,:5 we p>t$1 he gave me a sob] w>n+4 8,y & ,true %\ld consid] y\r moral responsibility1 no matt] :at y f9d4 ,ev5 if x's n actual security1 !re may be reasons to keep /ill40 ,aft] he left me1 ,i tri$ to figure x out4 ,if ! ,air ,=ce 0 back ( ?is1 !y mu/ n ?9k mu* ( my intellig5ce4 ,or else !y _h be5 9 su* a hurry to get a l9e on ,true's inve/igation t !y _h no *oice b to use ,/eele4 ,( c\rse1 x 0 /ill possible he 0 do+ ?is on 8 own4 ,ei!r way1 8 purpose 0 obvi\s4 ,he hop$ to h u swall[ ! ,soviet-missile answ]4 ,if we did1 !n we w\ld h to keep /ill1 ev5 ?\gh we f\nd absolute pro(4 ,obvi\sly1 x w\ld be dang]\s to pr9t t /ory4 ,?9k+ back1 ,i recall$ ,/eele's app>5t attempt to dismiss ! ,mantell case4 ,i 0 conv9c$ n[4 ,! ,godman ,field affair mu/ hold an important clue t ,i _h ov]look$4 ,x might ev5 be ! key to ! :ole fly+ sauc] riddle4 ,,*apt] ,,vi ,%ortly aft] my talk ) ,/eele1 ,i flew to ! ,coa/4 ,= ?ree weeks ,i inve/igat$ sight+s t _h be5 report$ by airl9e & private pilots & o!r compet5t witnesses4 ,at fir/1 ! airl9e pilots 7 reluctant to talk4 ,mo/ ( !m rememb]$ ! ridicule t _h foll[$ publi%$ acc\nts by o!r airl9e m54 ,"o pilot told me he _h be5 ord]$ to keep /ill ab\t 8 exp]i5ce--:e!r by ! company or ! ,air ,=ce1 he w\ld n say4 ,b mo/ ( !m f9ally agre$ to talk1 if ,i kept _! names out ( pr9t4 ,"o airl9e capta9--,i'll call him ,blake--_h enc\nt]$ a sauc] at night4 ,he & 8 copilot _h sight$ ! object1 gleam+1 9 ! moonlight1 half a mile to _! left4 8,we 7 at ab\t twelve ?\s& feet10 he said1 :5 we saw ?is ?+ pac+ u4 ,x didn't h any runn+ lights1 b we c\ld see ! moonlight reflect+ f some?+ l bright metal4 ,!re 0 a gl[ along ! side1 l "s k9d ( light1 or exhau/40 8,c\ld y make out ! %ape80 ,i ask$4 ,blake gr9n$ crook$ly4 8,y ?9k we didn't try8 ,i cut 9 t[>d x4 ,x turn$ 9 ! same direction4 ,i pull$ up ab\t ?ree hundr$ feet1 & x did ! same4 ,f9ally1 ,i op5$ my ?rottles & cut 9 fa/1 int5d+ to pull tip if we got too close4 ,i ne$n't h worri$4 ,! ?+ let out a bur/ ( r$di% flame & /reak$ up out ( sight4 ,x 0 gone 9 a few seconds40 8,!n x mu/ h be5 pilot$10 ,i said4 8,if n1 x _h "s k9d ( rad>-respond] unit to make x ve] (f :5 any?+ got ne> x4 ,x mat*$ e move ,i made1 until ! la/ "o40 ,i ask$ him :at he ?\ght ! sauc] 04 ,blake hesitat$1 !n he gave me a sl[ gr94 8,well1 my copilot ?9ks x 0 a space %ip4 ,he says no pilot "h on e>? c\ld take t _m ,g's1 :5 ! ?+ zoom$40 ,i'd he>d "s 8m5 f ,m>s0 op9ions ab\t ! sauc]s1 b ?is 0 an exp]i5c$ pilot4 8,y don't believe t80 ,i said4 8,no10 ,blake said4 8,i figure x 0 "s new type ( guid$ missile4 ,if x took z _m ,g's z ,*uck1 my copilot1 ?9ks1 !n x mu/ h be5 on a beam & remote-controll$40 ,lat]1 ,i f\nd two o!r pilots :o _h ! same idea z ,*uck4 ,"o capta9 0 afraid ! fly+ sauc]s 7 ,russian2 8 copilot ?\ght !y 7 ,air ,=ce or ,navy4 ,i met "o airl9e (ficial :o 0 indignant ab\t te/+ su* missiles ne> ! airways4 8,ev5 if !y d h "s device to make !m ve] (f10 he said1 8,i ?9k x's a risk4 ,!re'll be hell to pay if "o ev] hits an airl9]40 8,!y've be5 fly+ ar\nd = two ye>s10 a l9e pilot po9t$ out4 8,nobody's _h a close call yet4 ,i don't ?9k !re's mu* dang]40 ,:5 ,i left ! ,coa/1 ,i flew to ,new ,york4 ,k5 ,purdy call$ 9 ,john ,du,barry1 ,true's aviation editor1 to he> ! details4 ,purdy call$ him 8,john ! ,skeptic40 ,aft] ,i told !m :at ,i _h le>n$ ,purdy nodd$4 8,:at d y ?9k ! sauc]s are80 ask$ ,du,barry4 8,!y mu/ be guid$ missiles10 ,i said1 8b x leaves "s que] gaps 9 ! picture40 ,i _h made up a li/ ( possible answ]s1 & ,i read x to !m3 8,"o1 ! sauc]s don't exi/4 ,!y're caus$ by mi/akes1 hy/]ia1 & s on4 ,two1 !y're ,russian guid$ missiles4 ,?ree1 !y're ,am]ican guid$ missiles4 ,f\r1 ! :ole ?+ is a hoax1 a psy*ological-w>f>e trick40 8,y mean a trick ( ours80 said ,purdy4 8,sure1 to make ! ,soviets ?9k we c\ld rea* !m ) a guid$ missile4 ,b ,i don't ?9k t's ! answ]--,i j li/$ x z a possibility40 ,du,barry consid]$ ?is ?\ghtfully4 8,9 ! fir/ place1 y'd h to br+ ?\s&s ( p into ! s*eme1 s ! disks w\ld be report$ (t5 en\gh to get publicity4 ,y'd h to h "s k9d ( device1 maybe some?+ laun*$ f highfly+ bomb]s1 to give ! rumors sub/ance4 ,!y'd c]ta9ly d a bett] job ?an ?is1 to put x ov]4 ,& x w\ldn't expla9 ! _w-wide sight+s4 ,also1 ,capta9 ,mantell w\ldn't kill himself j to c>ry out an (ficial hoax40 8,john's "r10 said ,purdy4 8,anyway1 x's too pond]\s4 ,x w\ld leak l a sieve1 & ! dumbe/ ,soviet ag5t w\ld see ?r\gh x40 ,he look$ back at my li/4 8,cross (f ,numb] ,"o1 ,!re's too mu* compet5t te/imony1 beside ! obvi\s fact t some?+'s be+ cov]$ up40 8,t leaves ,russian or ,am]ican missiles10 ,i said1 8z ,/eele fir/ sugge/$4 ,b !re are "s po9ts t j won't fit ! missile !ory40 8,y've left out "o answ]10 said ,purdy4 8,:at's t80 8,int]planet>y40 8,y're kidd+60 ,i said4 8,i didn't say ,i believ$ x10 said ,purdy4 8,i j say x's possible40 ,du,barry 0 wat*+ me4 8,i "k h[ y feel4 ,t's h[ x hit me :5 ,k5 fir/ said x10 8,i've he>d x be=e10 ,i said4 8,b ,i nev] took x s]i\sly40 8,maybe ?is w int]e/ y10 ,purdy said4 ,he gave me a note f ,sam ,boal3 8,j talk$ ) ,d-------10 ! note ran4 7,d------- is a prom95t a]onautical eng9e]1 ! design] ( a _w-fam\s plane47 8,he believes ! disks may be int]planet>y & t ! ,air ,=ce kn[s x--or at lea/ suspects x4 ,i'm enclos+ sket*es %[+ h[ he ?9ks ! disks op]ate40 8,he's n ! fir/ "o :o told u t10 said ,purdy4 8,we've he>d ! same ?+ f o!r eng9e]s4 ,ov] a doz5 airl9e pilots ?9k !y're co9+ f out 9 space4 ,& !re's a rocket exp]t at ,wright ,field :o's w>n$ ,project #8,sauc]' t ! ?+s are int]planet>y4 ,t's :y ,i'm n writ+ x (f40 8,h y read ! ,project #8,sauc]' ideas on space travel80 ,du,barry ask$ me4 ,i told him my copy hadn't rea*$ me4 ,he read me "s m>k$ p>agraphs 9 8 copy ( ! prelim9>y report3 8#8,!re has be5 speculation t ! a]ial ph5om5a might actually be "s =m ( p5etration f ano!r planet 4 4 4 ! exi/5ce ( intellig5t life on ,m>s is n impossible b is completely unprov5 4 4 4 ! possibility ( intellig5t life on ! ,planet ,v5us is n consid]$ completely unreasonable by a/ronom]s 4 4 4 ,sci5ti/s conc$e t liv+ organisms might develop 9 *emical environm5ts :i* are /range to u 4 4 4 9 ! next fifty ye>s we w almo/ c]ta9ly />t explor+ space 4 4 4 ! *ance ( space travel]s exi/+ at planets atta*$ to neighbor+ />s is v mu* great] ?an ! *ance ( space-travel+ ,m>tians4 ,! "o c be view$ z almo/ a c]ta9ty 4 4 4'0 ,du,barry h&$ me ! report4 8,"h--,i practically "k x by he>t4 ,take x ) y4 ,y c s5d x back lat]40 8,i "k ! space-travel idea s\nds silly at fir/10 said ,purdy1 8b x's ! only answ] t expla9s all ! sight+s-especially ^? 9 ! la/ c5tury40 ,he ask$ ,du,barry to give me _! file ( hi/oric reports4 ,:ile ,john 0 gett+ x1 ,purdy w5t on3 8,be c>eful ab\t ?is man ,/eele4 ,aft] :at he said ab\t #8moral responsibility' ,i'm sure he's plant$40 ,i ?\ght back to ,/eele's w>n+4 ,i told ,purdy3 8,if he _h ! space ?+ 9 m9d1 maybe he's "r4 ,x c\ld set (f a panic t w\ld make t ,orson ,welles ?+ look l a picnic40 8,c]ta9ly x c\ld10 ,purdy said4 8,we'd h to h&le x c>efully-if x turn$ out to be ! tru?4 ,b ,i ?9k ! ,air ,=ce is mak+ a mi/ake1 if t's :at !y're hid+4 ,x c\ld break ! wrong way & be s]i\s40 ,john ,du,barry came back ) ! file ( old reports4 8,x might int]e/ y to "k10 he said1 8t ! ,air ,=ce *eck$ all ^! old sight+s too40 ,! idea 0 /ill a difficult "o = me to believe4 8,^? space-travel sugge/ions might be a trick10 ,i said4 8,! ,air ,=ce may be h9t+ at t to hide ! guid$-missile secret40 8,yes1 b lat] on !y d5y ! space ?+10 said ,purdy4 8,x looks z if !y're try+ to put p on gu>d & !n play x d[n1 s !y won't get sc>$40 ,z ,i put ! hi/oric reports file 9 my brief case1 ,purdy h&$ me a lett] f an inve/igator nam$ ,hilton1 :o _h be5 work+ 9 ! ,s\?we/4 ,i skimm$ ov] 8 lett]4 ,hilton _h he>d ( "s unusual night sight+s 9 ,new ,mexico4 ,! /ory _h be5 hu%$ up1 b he _h le>n$ "s details f a pilot at ,albuqu]que4 ,"o ( ^! my/]i\s 8fly+ lights0 _h be5 se5 at ,las ,vegas1 on ,decemb] #h1 #aidh--;j "o mon? be=e ,mantell 0 kill$ 9 ,k5tucky4 ,x 0 too d>k to make out ! %ape beh9d ! light1 b all witnesses _h agre$ on its p]=mance4 ,! ?+ _h climb$ at trem5d\s spe$1 its upw>d motion %[n by a bright gre5 light4 ,?\gh ! gre5 gl[ 0 mu* bright] ?an a plane's runn+ light1 all plane s*$ules 7 c>efully *eck$4 8,i ?9k !y 7 try+ to p9 x on a jet fight]10 ! ,albuqu]que pilot told ,hilton4 8,b !re w]5't any jets ne> !re4 ,anyway1 ! ?+ climb$ too fa/4 ,x mu/ h be5 mak+ close to n9e hundr$ miles an h\r40 ,! ,air ,=ce _h also *eck$ balloon release times--app>5tly j = ! record1 s9ce no balloon c\ld ev5 approa* ! sauc]'s t]rific asc5t4 ,aga91 !y drew a blank4 8,f ! way ?is 0 hu%$ up10 ,hilton comm5t$1 8!y seem to be worri$ ab\t ?is gr\p ( sight+s4 ,i've he>d two reports t ! ,f4,b4,i4 is ti$ into ! deal someh[1 b t's z f> z ,i c get40 8,see if y c get any lead on t10 ,purdy told me4 8,t ,f4,b4,i4 bus9ess puzzles me4 ,:]e w\ld !y come 980 ,i said ,i w\ld try to f9d out4 ,b x 0 almo/ f\r mon?s be=e we le>n$ ! answ]3 ,! ,f4,b4,i4 m5 _h be5 witnesses4 7,?is 0 lat] admitt$ 9 an obscure cross-ref]5ce 9 ! f9al ,project 8,sauc]0 report4 ,b all (ficial answ]s to ! /range gre5-light sight+s _h be5 c>efully omitt$4 ,! cases conc]n$ 7 #bbc1 #bbd1 #bbe1 #bbf1 #bbg1 #bcj1 & #bca1 :i* w be discuss$ lat]47 8,:5 y g back to ,wa%+ton10 said ,purdy1 8see :at reaction y get to ! int]planet>y idea40 ,i _h a pretty good idea :at ! reaction w\ld be1 b ,i nodd$4 8,o4,k4 ,i'll g flag a space %ip & be on my way40 8,o4,k4--gag x up10 said ,purdy4 8,b don't sell x %ort1 ,if by any *ance x's true1 x'll be ! bigge/ /ory s9ce ! bir? ( ,*ri/40 ,,*apt] ,,vii ,x 0 d>k :5 ! airl9] lim\s9e rea*$ ,la ,gu>dia ,field4 ,i _h int5d$ tak+ an e>li] plane1 b ,du,barry p]suad$ me to /ay ov] = d9n]4 ,we dropp$ into ! ,algonqu91 next door to ,true's (fice build+4 ,halfway ?r\gh d9n]1 ,i ask$ ,john :at he ?\ght ( ! space-travel answ]4 8,oh1 x's possible10 he said cauti\sly4 8,! "t & space angles make x h>d to take1 b if we're plann+ to explore space )9 fifty ye>s1 !re's no reason "s o!r planet p c\ldn't d x4 ,( c\rse1 if !y've be5 obs]v+ u = ov] a c5tury1 z ^? old sight+s seem to indicate1 !y mu/ be f> ahead ( u1 at lea/ 9 te*nical progress40 ,lat] on1 he said ?\ghtfully1 8,ev5 ?\gh x's possible1 ,i hate to ?9k x's ! answ]4 j imag9e ! impact on ! _w4 ,we'd h to reori5t our :ole lives--& ?+s are complicat$ en\gh already40 ,/&+ at ! gate1 wait+ = my plane to be call$1 ,i ?\ght ov] t angle4 ,assum+ t space travel 0 ! solution--:i* ,i /ill c\ldn't believe-:at w\ld be ! effect on ! _w8 ,x 0 a h>d ?+ to picture4 ,s mu* dep5d$ on ! visitors f space4 ,:at w\ld _! purpose be8 ,w\ld !y be peaceful or ho/ile8 ,:y _h !y be5 obs]v+ ! e>? s int5sively 9 ! pa/ few ye>s8 ,i c\ld ?9k ( a hundr$ que/ions4 ,:at w\ld ! space p be l8 ,w\ld !y be simil> to m5 & wom5 on e>?1 or "s fe>some ,buck ,rog]i% creatures :o w\ld t]rify ! av]age ,am]ican--includ+ myself8 ,x 0 obvi\s !y w\ld be f> sup]ior to u 9 _m ways4 ,b _! civilization might be entirely diff]5t4 ,evolution might h develop$ _! m9ds1 & possibly _! bodies1 along l9es we c\ldn't ev5 grasp4 ,p]haps we c\ldn't ev5 communicate ) !m4 ,:at w\ld be ! net effect ( mak+ contact ) be+s f a di/ant planet8 ,w\ld e>?l+s be t]rifi$1 or1 if x seem$ a peaceful exploration1 w\ld we bc intrigu$ by ! ?\ght ( a great adv5ture8 ,x w\ld dep5d entirely on ! space visitors' motives1 & h[ ! _w 0 prep>$ = su* a revelation4 ,! m ,i ?\ght ab\t x1 ! m fanta/ic ?c ?+ seem$4 ,& yet x hadn't be5 too long s9ce airplane flight 0 consid]$ an idiot's dream4 ,?is sc5e "h at ,la ,gu>dia w\ld h seem$ pure fantasy 9 #aijj--?c huge ,con/ellations & ,,dc-#f's2 ! d\ble-deck$ ,/ratocruis]s1 sweep+ 9 f all ov] ! c\ntry2 ! big %ips at ,pan-,am]ican1 tak+ (f = po9ts all ov] ! globe4 ,we'd come a long way 9 ! =ty-six ye>s s9ce ! ,wright bro!rs' fir/ flight4 ,b space travel6 ,! gateman *eck$ my ticket1 & ,i w5t out to ! ,wa%+ton plane4 ,x 0 a luxury %ip1 a fifty-two-pass5g]1 f\r-eng9$ ,,dc-#f1 s*$ul$ to be 9 ! capital "o h\r aft] take-(f4 ,by morn+ ?is plane1 ! ,aztec1 w\ld be 9 ,mexico ,city4 ,! c\ple go+ up ! gangway ahead ( me 7 9 _! late sixties4 ,fifty ye>s ago1 :at w\ld !y h said if someone _h pr$ict$ ?is flight8 ,! answ] to t 0 easy2 at t "t1 high-s*ool songbooks featur$ a well-kn[n piece entitl$ 8,d>ius ,gre5 & ,8 ,fly+ ,ma*9e40 ,d>ius1 x seems1 0 a simple-m9d$ lad :o actually ?\ght he c\ld fly4 ,fifty ye>s4 ,t 0 ! "t ! ,air ,=ce _h e/imat$ x w\ld take u to />t explor+ space4 ,w\ld ,am]icans come to accept space travel z matt]-(-factly z ! p n[ bo>d+ ?is plane8 ,! y\ng/]s w\ld1 probably2 ! old] ones1 z a rule1 w\ld be a little m cauti\s4 ,9 ! oval l\nge at ! re> ( ! plane1 ,i took out ! file ( old sight+ reports4 ,glanc+ ?r\gh x1 ,i1 saw exc]pts f n9ete5?-c5tury a/ronomical & sci5tific j\rnals & extracts f (ficial gazettes4 ,mo/ ( ! e>ly sight+s _h be5 9 ,great ,brita9 & on ! ,cont95t1 ) a few reports scatt]$ ar\nd ! _w4 ,! ,am]ican reports did n beg9 until ! latt] "p ( ! c5tury4 ,! ,,dc-#f roll$ out & took (f4 ,= a few m9utes ,i wat*$ ! lights ( ,manhattan & ,great] ,new ,york tw9kl+ bel[4 ,! ,empire ,/ate ,build+ t[] 0 /ill above u1 z ! plane bank$ ov] ! ,ea/ ,riv]4 ,we climb$ quickly1 & ! famili> outl9e ( ,manhattan took %ape l a map p9-po9t$ ) millions ( lights4 ,any l>ge city se5 f ! air at night has a c]ta9 magic1 ,new ,york mo/ ( all4 ,look+ d[n1 ,i ?\ght3 ,:at w\ld a spaceman ?9k1 see+ ?is brilliantly light$ city1 ! t[]+ skyscrap]s8 ,w\ld o!r planets h su* cities1 or w\ld x be some?+ new & puzzl+ to a visitor f space8 ,turn+ back to ! old reports1 ,i skipp$ ?r\gh until ,i f\nd ! ,am]ican sight+s4 ,"o ( ! fir/ 0 an incid5t at ,bonham1 ,texas1 9 ! summ] ( #ahgc4 ,x 0 broad daylight :5 a /range1 fa/-mov+ object appe>$ 9 ! sky1 s\?we/ ( ! t[n4 ,= a mom5t1 ! p ( ,bonham />$ at ! ?+1 n believ+ _! eves4 ,! only fly+ device !n kn[n 0 ! drift+ balloon4 ,b ?is ?+ 0 trem5d\s1 & spe$+ s fa/ its outl9es 7 almo/ a blur4 ,t]rifi$ f>m]s div$ "u _! wagons4 ,t[nspeople fl$ indoors4 ,only a few h>dy s\ls rema9$ 9 ! /reets4 ,! my/]i\s object circl$ ,bonham twice1 !n rac$ (f to ! ca/ & vani%$4 ,descriptions ( ! /range ma*9e v>i$ f r\nd or oval to cig>-%ap$4 7,! details ( ! ,bonham sight+ 7 lat] confirm$ = me by ,frank ,edw>ds1 ,mutual network newsca/]1 :o inve/igat$ ?is case47 ,tw5ty-f\r h\rs aft] ! ,bonham incid5t1 a device ( ! same description appe>$ at ,=t ,scott1 ,kansas4 ,panic-/rick5 soldi]s fl$ ! p>ade gr\nd z ! ?+ fla%$ ov]head4 ,9 a few seconds x disappe>$1 circl+ t[>d ! nor?4 ,until n[1 ,i _h suppos$ t ! t]m 8sauc]0 0 orig9al ) ,k5ne? ,arnold4 ,actually1 ! fir/ to comp>e a fly+ object ) a sauc] 0 ,john ,m>t91 a f>m] :o liv$ ne> ,d5ison1 ,texas4 ,! ,d5ison ,daily ,news ( ,janu>y #be1 #ahgh1 gives ! foll[+ acc\nt3 ,f ,mr4 ,john ,m>t91 a f>m] :o lives "s six miles s\? ( ?is city1 we le>n ! foll[+ /range /ory3 ,tuesday morn+ :ile out hunt+1 8 att5tion 0 direct$ to a d>k object high up 9 ! s\!rn sky4 ,! peculi> %ape & velocity ) :i* ! object seem$ to approa* rivet$ 8 att5tion & he /ra9$ 8 eves to discov] its "*4 ,:5 fir/ notic$1 x appe>$ to be ab\t ! size ( an orange1 :i* cont9u$ to gr[ 9 size4 ,aft] gaz+ at x = "s "t ,mr4 ,m>t9 became bl9d f long look+ & left (f view+ x = a "t 9 ord] to re/ 8 eyes4 ,on resum+ 8 view1 ! object 0 almo/ ov]head & _h increas$ consid]ably 9 size1 & appe>$ to be go+ ?r\gh space at wond]ful spe$4 ,:5 directly ov] him x 0 ab\t ! size ( a l>ge sauc] & 0 evid5tly at great height4 ,mr4 ,m>t9 ?\ght x resembl$1 z well z he c\ld judge1 a balloon4 ,x w5t z rapidly z x _h come & 0 soon lo/ to sight 9 ! heav5ly skies4 ,mr4 ,m>t9 is a g5tleman ( und\bt$ v]acity & ?is /range occurr5ce1 if x 0 n a balloon1 des]ves ! att5tion ( our sci5ti/s4 ,9 ! file1 ,i saw a memo ,du,barry _h writt53 8,i w\ld take ! v e>ly reports ) caution4 ,= in/ance1 ! "o on ,augu/ #i1 #agfb1 :i* describes an odd1 sp9dle-%ap$ body travel+ at high spe$ t[>d ! sun4 ,i recall t ,*>les ,=t accept$ ?is1 along ) o!r e>ly sight+s1 z evid5ce ( space %ips4 ,b ?is p>ticul> ?+ might h be5 a meteor--meteors z su* 7 almo/ unkn[n !n4 ,! lat] reports are m conv9c+1 & x is also easi] to *eck ! s\rces1 especially ^? f #ahgj on40 ,f #agfb to #ahgj1 ! reports 7 meag]4 ,"s describ$ my/]i\s lights 9 ! sky2 a few m5tion$ r\nd objects se5 9 daylight4 ,ev5 ?\gh !y 7 n s fully docum5t$ z lat] ones1 "o po9t /ruck me4 ,9 ^? days1 !re 0 no telegraph1 telephone1 or radio to spread news rapidly & />t a flood ( rumors4 ,a sight+ 9 ,scotl& c\ld n be ! cause ( a simil> "o two days lat] 9 ! s\? ( ,france4 ,beg9n+ 9 #hgj1 !re 0 a s]ies ( reports t w5t on to ! turn ( ! c5tury4 ,9 ! ,london ,times1 ,septemb] #bf1 #ahgj1 !re 0 a description ( a que] object t 0 se5 cross+ ! moon4 ,x 0 report$ z elliptical1 ) "s k9d ( tail1 & x took almo/ ?irty seconds to complete its passage ( ! moon4 ,!n 9 #ahga1 a l>ge1 r\nd body 0 sight$ above ,m>seilles1 ,france4 ,?is 0 on ,augu/ #a4 ,x mov$ sl[ly across ! sky1 app>5tly at great height1 & 0 visible ab\t fifte5 m9utes4 ,on ,m>* #bb1 #ahhj1 sev]al brilliantly lum9\s objects 7 report$ se5 at ,katt5au1 ,g]many4 ,sight$ j be=e sunrise1 !y 7 describ$ z ris+ f ! horizon & mov+ f ea/ to we/4 ,! acc\nt 0 publi%$ 9 ! ,briti% ,nature ,magaz9e1 ,volume #bb1 page #fd4 ,! next report 9 ! file m5tion$ briefly a /range r\nd object se5 9 ! skies ov] ,b]muda4 ,! s\rce = ?is acc\nt 0 ! ,b]muda ,royal ,gazette4 ,?is 0 9 #ahhe4 ,t same ye>1 an a/ronom] & o!r witnesses report$ a gigantic a]ial object at ,adrianople1 ,turkey4 ,on ,novemb] #a1 ! weird app>ition 0 se5 mov+ across ! sky4 ,obs]v]s describ$ x z r\nd & f\r to five times ! size ( ! moon4 ,?is e/imate is simil> to ! ,d5ison1 ,texas1 comp>ison ) an orange4 ,! object w\ld actually be huge to be se5 at any great height4 ,b unless ! true height 7 kn[n1 any e/imate ( size w\ld be guesswork4 ,on ,m>* #ai1 #ahhg1 two /range objects fell into ! sea ne> a ,dut* b>k5t9e4 ,z describ$ by ! skipp]1 ,capta9 ,c4 ,d4 ,sweet1 "o ( ! objects 0 d>k1 ! o!r brightly lum9\s4 ,! gl[+ object fell ) a l\d ro>+ s\nd2 ! %ipma/] 0 positive x 0 n a meteor4 ,9 ,new ,zeal&1 a ye> lat]1 an oval-%ap$ disk 0 report$ spe$+ high ov]head4 ,?is 0 on ,may #d1 #ahhh4 ,ab\t two ye>s aft] ?is1 sev]al l>ge a]ial bodies 7 sight$ hov]+ ov] ! ,dut* ,ea/ ,indies4 ,mo/ acc\nts describ$ !m z r\ghly triangul>1 ab\t "o hundr$ feet on ! base & two hundr$ feet on ! sides4 ,b "s obs]v]s ?\ght !y might be long] & n>r[]1 ) a r\nd$ base2 ?is w\ld make !m agree ) m rec5t /ories ( cone-%ap$ objects ) r\nd$ tops se5 9 ,am]ican skies4 ,on ,augu/ #bf1 #ahid1 a ,briti% admiral report$ sight+ a l>ge disk ) a projection l a tail4 ,& a ye> aft] ?is1 bo? ,engl& & ,scotl& buzz$ ) /ories ( triangul>-%ap$ objects l ^? se5 9 ! ,dut* ,ea/ ,indies4 ,al?\gh _m (ficials sc(f$ at ! /ories1 m ?an "o a/ronom] /uck to 8 belief t ! my/]i\s ?+s might be com+ f out] space4 ,s9ce planes & dirigibles 7 !n unkn[n1 !re 0 no "o on e>? :o c\ld h be5 responsible = !m4 ,9 #ahig1 sight+s 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates began to be m frequ5t4 ,"o ( ! /range/ reports describes an incid5t t began on ,april #i4 ,fly+ at a great height1 a huge cig>-%ap$ device 0 se5 9 ! ,midwe/4 ,%ort w+s project$ f ! sides ( ! object1 accord+ to reports ( a/ronom]s :o wat*$ x ?r\gh telescopes4 ,= almo/ a week1 ! a]ial visitor 0 sight$ ar\nd ! ,midwe/1 z f> s\? z ,/4 ,l\is & z f> we/ z ,colorado4 ,sev]al times1 r$1 gre51 & :ite lights 7 se5 to fla% 9 ! sky2 "s witnesses ?\ght ! crew ( ?is /range craft might be try+ to signal ! e>?4 ,on ,april #af1 ! ?+1 :atev] x 01 disappe>$ f ! ,midwe/4 ,b on ,april #ai1 ! same object--or else a simil> "o--appe>$ ov] ,we/ ,virg9ia4 ,e>ly t morn+ ! t[n ( ,si/]ville 0 awak5$ by bla/s ( ! sawmill :i/le4 ,^? :o w5t outside _! homes saw a /range sight4 ,f a torp$o-%ap$ object ov]head1 dazzl+ se>*lights 7 po9t+ d[nw>d1 sweep+ ! c\ntryside4 ,! ?+ appe>$ to be ab\t two hundr$ feet long1 "s ?irty feet 9 diamet]1 ) /ubby w+s & r$ & gre5 lights along ! sides4 ,= almo/ t5 m9utes ! a]ial visitor circl$ ! t[n1 !n x swung ea/w>d & vani%$4 ,! next report 0 publi%$ 9 ! ,u4,s4 ,wea!r ,bureau's mon?ly ,wea!r ,review4 ,on page #aae 9 ! ,m>* #aijd issue1 !re is an acc\nt ( an odd sight+ at sea4 ,on ,febru>y #bd1 #aijd1 a my/]i\s light _h be5 se5 above ! ,atlantic by crew memb]s ( ! ,u4,s4,s4 ,supply4 ,x 0 mov+ swiftly1 & evid5tly at high altitude4 ,! report 0 atte/$ by ,lieut5ant ,frank ,h4 ,s*(ield1 ,u4,s4,n4 ,on ,july #b1 #aijg1 a my/]i\s explosion occurr$1 9 ! heav5s ne> ,burl+ton1 ,v]mont4 ,"s witnesses describ$ a /range1 torp$o-%ap$ device circl+ above4 ,%ortly aft] x 0 se51 a r\nd1 lum9\s object fla%$ d[n f ! sky1 !n explod$1 7,wea!r ,review1 #aijg1 page #caj47 ,ano!r cig>-%ap$ craft 0 report$ at a l[ altitude ov] ,bridgewat]1 ,massa*usetts1 9 #aije4 ,l ! "o at ,si/]ville1 x c>ri$ se>*lights1 :i* swept back & =? across ! c\ntryside4 ,aft] a few mom5ts1 ! visitor rose 9 a /eep climb1 & ! se>*lights bl9k$ out4 ,!re 0 no report = #aiji 9 ,am]ica1 ?\gh an odd a]ial object 0 sight$ ne> ! ,galapagos ,isl&s4 ,b 9 #aiaj1 "o ,janu>y morn+1 a l>ge silv]y cig>-%ap$ device />tl$ ,*attanooga4 ,aft] ab\t five m9utes1 ! ?+ sp$ away1 appe>+ ov] ,huntsville1 ,alabama1 %ortly aft]w>d4 ,x made a second appe>ance ov] ,*attanooga ! next day1 !n head$ ea/ & 0 nev] se5 aga94 ,9 ,popul> ,a/ronomy1 ,janu>y #bg1 #ajab1 a ,dr4 ,f4 ,b4 ,h>ris describ$ an int5sely black object t he saw cross+ ! moon4 ,z ne>ly z he c\ld tell1 x 0 gigantic 9 size--?\gh aga9 !re 0 no way to be sure ( its di/ance f him or ! moon4 ,) c>eful und]/atem5t1 ,dr4 ,h>ris said1 8,i ?9k a v int]e/+ & curi\s ph5om5on happ5$ t night40 ,a /range %ad[ 0 not$ on ! cl\ds at ,=t ,wor?1 ,texas1 on ,april #h1 #ai1 #c4 ,x appe>$ to be caus$ by "s l>ge body hov]+ motionless above ! cl\ds4 ,z ! cl\d lay] mov$1 ! %ad[ rema9$ 9 ! same position4 ,!n x *ang$ size1 dim9i%+1 & quickly disappe>$1 z if x _h ris5 v]tically4 ,a report on ?is 0 giv5 9 ! ,wea!r ,bureau ,review ( t ye>1 ,numb] #d-eii4 ,by #aiai1 dirigibles 7 ( c\rse well kn[n to mo/ ( ! _w4 ,:5 a dirigible-%ap$ object appe>$ ov] ,hunt+ton1 ,we/ ,virg9ia1 9 ,july ( t ye>1 !re 0 no great al>m4 ,x 0 believ$ to be an ,am]ican blimp1 ?\gh ! d>kness--x 0 elev5 at night--prev5t$ obs]v]s f be+ sure4 ,b a lat] *eck-up prov$ x 0 n an ,am]ican %ip1 nor 0 x f any c\ntry possess+ su* craft4 ,= "s "t aft] ?is1 !re 7 few au!ntic reports4 ,!n 9 #aicd1 ,ni*olas ,ro]i*1 head ( ! ,am]ican-,ro]i* exp$ition into ,tibet1 _h a rem>kable exp]i5ce t be>s on ! sauc] riddle4 ,on pages #cfa & #cfb ( 8 book ,altai ,himalaya1 ,ro]i* describes ! incid5t4 ,! exp$ition p>ty 0 9 ! wilds ( ,tibet "o morn+ :5 a port] notic$ ! peculi> actions ( a buzz>d ov]head4 ,he call$ ,ro]i*'s att5tion to x2 !n !y all saw some?+ high 9 ! sky1 mov+ at great spe$ f nor? to s\?4 ,wat*+ x ?r\gh b9ocul>s1 ,ro]i* saw x 0 oval-%ap$1 obvi\sly ( huge size1 & reflect+ ! sun's rays l brightly poli%$ metal4 ,:ile he trail$ x ) 8 glasses1 ! object sudd5ly *ang$ direction1 f s\? to s\?we/4 ,x 0 gone 9 a few mom5ts4 ,?is 0 ! la/ sight+ li/$ be=e ,_w ,w> ,,ii4 ,:5 ,i _h f9i%$1 ,i />$ out ! plane w9d[1 curi\sly di/urb$4 ,l mo/ p1 ,i _h gr[n up believ+ ! e>? 0 ! c5t] ( ev]y?+--life1 intellig5ce1 & religion4 ,n[1 = ! fir/ "t 9 my life1 t belief 0 %ak54 ,x 0 a curi\s ?+4 ,i c\ld accept ! idea t we w\ld ev5tually explore space1 l& on ! moon1 & g on to di/ant planets4 ,i _h read ( ! plans1 & ,i knew our eng9e]s & sci5ti/s w\ld someh[ f9d a way4 ,x did n di/urb my belief 9 our sup]iority4 ,b fac$ ) ?is evid5ce ( a sup]ior race 9 ! univ]se1 my m9d rebell$4 ,= ye>s1 ,i _h be5 accu/om$ to ?9k+ 9 comic-/rip t]ms ( any possible spacem5--,buck ,rog]s /uff1 ) weird-look+ space %ips & gre5-fac$ ,m>tians4 ,b n[1 if ^! sight+s 7 true1 ! %oe 0 on ! o!r foot4 ,we w\ld be fac$ ) a race ( be+s at lea/ two hundr$ ye>s ahead ( our civilization--p]haps ?\s&s4 ,9 _! eyes1 we might look l primitives4 ,my conjectures be=e ! take-(f _h j be5 idle ?9k+2 ,i _h n really believ$ ?is c\ld be ! answ]4 ,b n[ ! "q came back %>ply4 ,h[ w\ld we react to a sudd5 appe>ance ( space %ips1 br++ t high] race to ! e>?8 ,if we 7 fully prep>$1 educat$ to ?is trem5d\s adv5ture1 x might come (f )\t tr\ble4 ,unprep>$1 we w\ld be ?r[n into panic4 ,! lights ( ,philadelphia %[$ up ahead1 & a ?\ght /ruck me4 ,:at w\ld ,philadelphians ( #aggf h ?\ght to see ?is ,,dc-#f fly+ across _! city at ?ree hundr$ miles an h\r8 ,:at w\ld ! s5tries at ,valley ,=ge h done1 a ye> lat]1 if ?is light$ airl9] _h /reak$ ov] _! heads8 ,madness4 ,/amp$e4 ,^? 7 ! pla9 answ]s4 ,b !re 0 a diff]5ce n[4 ,we _h _h mod]n miracles1 radio1 television1 sup]sonic planes1 & ! promise ( /ill m miracles4 ,we c\ld be educat$1 or at lea/ p>tly prep>$1 to accept space visitors4 ,9 fifty ye>s we _h le>n$ to fly4 ,9 fifty ye>s m1 we w\ld be explor+ space4 ,:y %\ld we believe su* creative intellig5ce 0 limit$ to ! e>?8 ,x w\ld be incr$ible if ! e>?1 out ( all ! millions ( planets1 prov$ ! only inhabit$ spot 9 ! :ole univ]se4 ,b1 in/9ctively1 ,i /ill f\ght aga9/ believ+ t ! fly+ sauc]s 7 space %ips4 ,ev5tually1 we w\ld make contact ) races on o!r planets2 !y und\bt$ly w\ld som$ay visit ! e>?4 ,b if x c\ld be put (f 4 4 4 a problem = lat] g5]ations to h&le 4 4 4 ,if ! disks prov$ ,am]ican guid$ missiles1 x w\ld be an easi] answ]4 ,look+ ?r\gh ! ,project 8,sauc]0 report ,du,barry _h loan$ me1 ,i read ! space-travel items1 hop+ to f9d "s h9t t ?is 0 a smoke scre54 ,on page #ah1 9 a discussion on ,m>s1 ,i f\nd ?is comm5t3 8,reports ( /range objects se5 9 ! skies h be5 h&$ d[n ?r\gh ! g5]ations4 ,h[ev]1 sci5ti/s believe t if ,m>tians 7 n[ visit+ ! e>? )\t e/abli%+ contact1 x c\ld be assum$ t !y h j rec5tly succe$$ 9 space travel1 & t _! civilization w\ld be practically abrea/ ( ours4 ,?is because !y f9d x h>d to believe t any te*nically e/abli%$ race w\ld come "h1 flaunt its ability 9 my/]i\s ways ov] ! ye>s1 b ea* "t simply g way )\t ev] e/abli%+ contact40 ,!re c\ld be sev]al answ]s to t4 ,! ,m>tians might n be able to live 9 our atmosph]e1 except 9 _! seal$ space %ips4 ,!y1 or "s o!r planet race1 c\ld h obs]v$ u p]iodically to *eck on our sl[ progress4 ,until we began to approa* _! level ( civilization1 or 9 "s way caus$ !m conc]n1 !y w\ld probably see no reason = try+ to make contact4 ,b someh[ ,i f\nd a vague com=t 9 ! argum5t1 full ( holes ?\gh x 04 ,se>*+ fur!r1 ,i f\nd o!r space-travel comm5ts4 ,on "o page1 ! ,air ,=ce admitt$ x 0 almo/ a c]ta9ty t space travel]s w\ld be op]at+ f planets outside ! sol> sy/em4 ,b on ! foll[+ page1 ,i discov]$ ?is s5t5ce3 8,?us1 al?\gh visits f out] space are believ$ to be possible1 !y are ?\ght to be highly improbable40 ,:at 0 ! answ]8 ,0 ?is j a w&]+ discussion ( possibilities1 badly put toge!r1 or 0 x a h9t ( ! tru?8 x c\ld be ! fir/ /ep 9 prep>+ ,am]ica = a revelation4 ,x c\ld also be a c>efully ?\ght-out trick4 ,?is :ole report might be design$ to conceal a secret weapon4 ,if ! ,air ,=ce or ! ,navy did h a secret missile1 :at bett] way to di/ract att5tion8 ,! old sight+ reports c\ld h be5 seiz$ on z a buildup = space travel h9ts4 ,!n sudd5ly x hit me4 ,ev5 if x 7 a smoke scre51 :at ( ^? old reports8 ,!y /ill rema9$ to be answ]$4 ,!re 0 only "o possible explanation1 unless y disc>d$ ! sight+s z lies4 ,t meant discr$it+ _m reliable witnesses--naval (fic]s1 m]*ant %ipma/]s1 explor]s1 a/ronom]s1 m9i/]s1 & responsible public (ficials4 ,besides all ^!1 !re _h be5 ?\s&s ( o!r witnesses1 :]e l>ge gr\ps _h se5 ! objects4 ,! answ] seem$ inevitable1 b ,i held x (f4 ,i didn't want to believe x1 ) all ! *anges x might br+1 ! unpr$ictable effect ^u our civilization4 ,if ,i kept on *eck+ ,i might f9d evid5ce t w\ld br+ a diff]5t explanation = ! pres5t sauc]s4 ,du,barry _h put ano!r gr\p ( reports 9 ! envelope2 ?is s]ies cov]$ ! ,_w ,w> ,,ii phase & on up to ! outbreak ( ! sauc] sc>e 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates4 ,"s ( x1 ab\t ! foo fight]s1 ,i already knew4 ,?is 0 ti$ 9 ) ! my/]y rockets report$ ov] ,sw$54 ,! fir/ ,sw$i% sight+s _h occurr$ dur+ ! e>ly "p ( ! w>4 ,mo/ ( ! s-call$ 8gho/ rockets0 7 se5 at night1 mov+ at trem5d\s spe$4 ,s9ce !y came f ! direction ( ,g]many1 mo/ ,sw$es believ$ t guid$ rockets 7 ! answ]4 ,dur+ ! summ] ( #aidf1 aft] ! ,russians _h tak5 ov] ,pe5emunde1 ! ,nazi missile te/ base1 gho/ rockets aga9 7 report$ fly+ ov] ,sw$54 ,"s 7 said to d\ble back & fly into ,soviet areas4 ,practically all 7 se5 at night1 & !re=e none _h be5 describ$ z a fly+ disk4 ,in/ead1 !y 7 said to be color$ lights1 r$1 gre51 blue1 & orange1 (t5 blurr$ f _! high spe$4 ,b !re 0 a puzzl+ complication4 ,my/]y lights1 & sometimes fly+ disks1 7 simultane\sly report$ ov] ,greece1 ,portugal1 ,turkey1 ,spa91 & ev5 ,fr5* ,morocco4 ,ei!r !re 7 two answ]s1 or "s nation _h develop$ missiles ) an incr$ibly long range4 ,by ,janu>y #aidg1 gho/-rocket sight+s 9 ,europe _h dim9i%$ to less ?an "o a mon?4 ,oddly en\gh1 ! fir/ disk report admitt$ by ,project 8,sauc]0 0 9 ?is same mon?4 ,! fir/ '#dg case detail$ by ,project 8,sauc]0 occurr$ at ,ri*mond1 ,virg9ia4 ,x 0 ab\t ! middle ( ,april4 ,a ,ri*mond wea!r obs]v] _h releas$ a balloon & 0 track+ x ) a !odolite :5 a /range object cross$ 8 field ( vision4 ,he swung ! !odolite & manag$ to track ! ?+1 despite its high spe$4 7,! actual spe$ & altitude--! latt] det]m9$ by a comp>ison ( ! balloon's height at v>i\s times--h nev] be5 releas$4 ,nor has ! ,air ,=ce releas$ ?is obs]v]'s report on ! object's size1 :i* ,project 8,sauc]0 admitt$ 0 m accurate ?an mo/ witnesses' e/imates47 ,ab\t ! sev5te5? ( ,may #aidg1 a huge oval-%ap$ sauc] t5 times long] ?an its diamet] 0 sight$ by ,byron ,savage1 an ,oklahoma ,city pilot4 ,two days lat]1 ano!r fa/-fly+ sauc] 0 report$ at ,manit\ ,spr+s1 ,colorado4 ,9 ! %ort "t x 0 obs]v$1 x 0 se5 to *ange direction twice1 maneuv]+ at an unbelievable spe$4 ,!n on ,june #bd came ,k5ne? ,arnold's fam\s report1 :i* set (f ! sauc] sc>e4 ,! re/ ( ! /ory ,i n[ knew almo/ by he>t4 ,:5 ! ,,dc-#f l&$ at ,wa%+ton1 ,i _h made "o decision4 ,s9ce x 0 impossible to *eck up on mo/ ( ! old sight+s1 ,i w\ld conc5trate on c]ta9 rec5t reports--cases 9 :i* ! objects _h be5 describ$ z space %ips4 ,z ,i wait$ = a taxi1 ,i look$ up at ! sky4 ,x 0 a cle> summ] night1 )\t a s+le cl\d4 ,beyond ! l[ hill to ! we/ ,i c\ld see ! />s4 ,i c /ill rememb] ?9k+1 ,if x's true1 !n ! />s w nev] aga9 seem ! same4 ,,*apt] ,,viii ,next morn+1 9 ! broad light ( day1 ! idea ( space visitors someh[ _h lo/ its m5ace4 ,if ! disks 7 space %ips1 at lea/ !y _h %[n no sign ( ho/ility1 s f> z ,i knew4 ,( c\rse1 !re 0 ,mantell2 b if he _h be5 d[n$ by "s weapon on ! disk1 x c\ld h be5 self-def5se4 ,9 mo/ cases1 ! sauc]s retreat$ at ! fir/ sign ( pursuit4 ,my m9d 0 /ill reluctant to accept ! space-travel answ]1 9 spite ( ! old reports4 ,b ,i kept ?9k+ ( ! fam\s aircraft design] :o ?\ght ! disks 7 space craft2 ! airl9e pilots ,purdy _h m5tion$2 ,blake's copilot1 ,*uck4 4 4 4 ,n[ t ,i recall$ x1 ,blake _h be5 m emb>rass$ ?an seem$ call$ = :5 he told ab\t ,*uck4 ,p]haps he _h be5 ! "o :o believ$ ! sauc]s 7 space %ips1 in/ead ( 8 abs5t copilot4 ,aft] breakfa/1 ,i w5t ov] ! li/ ( sight+s s9ce ,june #aidg4 ,!re 7 sev]al sauc]s t actually _h be5 describ$ z projectile-l %ips4 ,! mo/ fam\s ( all 0 ! ,ea/]n ,airl9es case4 ,x 0 #h3cj ,p4,m41 ,july #bc1 #aidh1 :5 an ,ea/]n ,airl9es ,,dc-#c took (f f ,h\/on1 ,texas1 on a flight to ,atlanta & ,bo/on4 ,! airl9] capta9 0 ,cl>5ce ,s4 ,*iles4 ,dur+ ! w>1 he _h be5 9 ! ,air ,transport ,comm&1 ) ! rank ( lieut5ant colonel4 ,he _h #h1ejj fly+ h\rs4 ,8 fir/ (fic] 0 ,john ,b4 ,:itt$1 a w>time pilot on ,b-#bi's4 ,bo? m5 7 kn[n 9 ,ea/]n z c>eful1 cons]vative pilots4 ,x 0 a bright1 moonlit night1 ) scatt]$ cl\ds ov]head4 ,! ,,dc-#c 0 tw5ty miles we/ ( ,montgom]y1 at #b3de ,a4,m41 :5 a brilliant projectile-l craft came hurtl+ along ! airway4 ,*iles saw x fir/ & took x to be a jet plane4 ,b ! next in/ant bo? pilots saw t ?is 0 no jet fight]4 8,x 0 head+ s\?we/10 ,*iles said lat]1 8exactly opposite to our c\rse4 ,:atev] x 01 x fla%$ d[n t[>d u at t]rific spe$4 ,we ve]$ to ! left4 ,x ve]$ %>ply1 too1 & pass$ u ab\t sev5 hundr$ feet to ! "r4 ,i saw !n t x _h no w+s40 ,! my/]y %ip pass$ on ,:itt$'s side1 & he _h a fairly close look4 8,! ?+ 0 ab\t "o hundr$ feet long1 cig>-%ap$1 & w+less10 he describ$ x4 8,x 0 ab\t twice ! diamet] ( a ,b-tw5ty-n9e1 ) no protrud+ f9s40 ,capta9 ,*iles said ! cab9 appe>$ l a pilot comp>tm5t1 except = its e]ie brilliance4 ,bo? he & ,:itt$ agre$ x 0 z bright z a magnesium fl>e4 ,!y saw no occupants1 b at _! spe$ ?is 0 n4 surpris+4 8,an int5se d>k-blue gl[ came f ! side ( ! %ip10 ,*iles report$4 7,x 0 lat] sugge/$ by eng9e]s t ! /range gl>e c\ld h come f a p[] plant ( unusual type47 8,x ran ! entire l5g? ( ! fuselage--l a blue fluoresc5t light4 ,! exhau/ 0 a r$-orange flame1 ) a light] color pr$om9ant ar\nd ! out] edges40 ,bo? pilots said ! flame ext5d$ ?irty to fifty feet beh9d ! %ip4 ,z x pass$1 ,*iles not$ a sn\t l a rad> pole4 ,bo? he & ,:itt$ glimps$ two r[s ( w9d[s4 8,j z x w5t by10 said ,*iles1 8! pilot pull$ up z if he _h se5 ! ,,dc-?ree & want$ to avoid its4 ,!re 0 a trem5d\s bur/ ( flame f ! re>4 ,x zoom$ into ! cl\ds1 its jet wa% rock+ our ,,dc-?ree40 ,*iles's e/imate ( ! my/]y %ip's spe$ 0 betwe5 five hundr$ & sev5 hundr$ miles an h\r4 ,z ! object vani%$1 ,*iles w5t back into ! cab9 to *eck ) ! pass5g]s4 ,mo/ _h be5 asleep or 7 dr[s+4 ,b "o man confirm$ t !y 7 9 _! "r s5ses4 ,?is pass5g]1 ,cl>5ce ,mc,kelvie ( ,columbus1 ,ohio1 told !m 7& a ,project 8,sauc]0 team lat]7 t he _h se5 a brilliant /reak ( light fla% pa/ 8 w9d[4 ,x _h gone too swiftly = him to cat* any details4 ,! ,a4,p4 int]view$ ,mr4 ,mc,kelvie soon aft] he l&$1 & ran ! foll[+ /ory3 8,k5nett ,squ>e1 ,pa41 ,july #bd 7,,ap7 4 ,cl>5ce ,l4 ,mc,kelvie1 assi/ant manag+ editor ( ! ,am]ican ,education ,press1 said he 0 ! only pass5g] on ! ,,eal ,h\/on-,bo/on plane :o 0 n asleep :5 ! phantom craft 0 sight$4 8#8,i saw no %ape or =m1' ,mr4 ,mc,kelvie said4 #8,i 0 on ! "r side ( ! plane1 & sudd5ly ,i saw ?is /range e]ie /reak out ( my w9d[4 ,x 0 v int5se1 n l lightn+ or any?+ ,i _h ev] se54' 8,! ,columbus man said he 0 too />tl$ & ! object mov$ too quickly = him to adju/ 8 eyes to x40 ,9 ,wa%+ton1 ,air ,=ce (ficials insi/$ !y c\ld %$ no light on ! my/]y4 ,out 9 ,santa ,monica1 ,g5]al ,george ,c4 ,k5ney1 !n *ief ( ! ,/rategic ,air ,comm&1 decl>$ ! ,air ,=ce _h no?+ remotely l ! %ip describ$4 8,i wi% we did10 ,g5]al ,k5ney told report]s4 8,i'd sure l to see t40 ,! publiciz$ /ory ( ?is 8space %ip0 set (f ano!r sc>e--also ! usual cracks ab\t screwball pilots4 ,b ,*iles & ,:itt$ 7 n screwballs2 !y 7 highly respect$ pilots4 ,! pass5g]'s confirmation add$ weight4 ,b ev5 if all ?ree _h be5 consid]$ delud$1 ! ,air ,=ce inve/igators c\ld n get ar\nd ! reports f ,robb9s ,air ,=ce ,base4 ,j ab\t "o h\r be=e ! ,,dc-#c incid5t1 a /range flam+ object came rac+ s\?w>d ?r\gh ! night skies ov] ,robb9s ,field1 at ,macon1 ,georgia4 ,obs]v]s at ! air base 7 a/\nd$ to see :at appe>$ to be a huge1 w+less craft /reak ov]head1 trail+ a v>icolor$ exhau/4 7,! witnesses' description talli$ ) ^? ( ,*iles & ,:itt$47 ,! my/]y %ip vani%$ swiftly2 all obs]v]s agre$ t x disappe>$ f ! l9e ( sight j l a normal aircraft4 ,:ile ,i 0 work+ on ?is case1 a contact 9 ,wa%+ton gave me an int]e/+ tip4 8,)9 =ty-eight h\rs aft] t ,ea/]n sight+1 ,air ,=ce eng9e]s ru%$ out bluepr9t plans & elevations ( ! #8space %ip1' bas$ on :at ! two pilots told !m40 ,:e!r or n ?is 0 true1 ,i f\nd t ! ,air ,=ce eng9e]s did compute ! probable spe$ & lift ( ! my/]y craft4 ,! %ip 0 f\nd to be )9 ! b\nds ( a]odynamic laws = op]ations 9 our atmosph]e4 ,"h is ! ,air ,=ce /atem5t3 8,application ( ! ,pr&tl !ory ( lift indicat$ t a fuselage ( ! dim5sions report$ by ,*iles & ,:itt$ c\ld support a load comp>able to ! weight ( an aircraft ( ?is size1 at fly+ spe$s 9 ! sub-sonic range40 7,?is supports ,*iles's e/imate ( #ejj-gjj m4p4h47 ,f\r days aft] ! space-%ip /ory 0 publi%$1 a ,navy spokesman 0 quot$ z h9t+ x might h be5 a high-atmosph]e rocket gone a/ray f ! prov+ gr\nds 9 ,new ,mexico4 ,! brief report appe>$ on ! editorial page ( ! ,wa%+ton ,/> on ,july #bh1 #aidg4 ,x ran z foll[s3 8,! ,navy says t naval te*nicians h be5 te/+ a #c1jjj-mile-p]-h\r rocket 9 ,new ,mexico4 ,if "o w5t a/ray1 x c\ld travel across our cont95t 9 a %ort "t40 ,at fir/ glance ,i ?\ght ?is might be ! real answ] to ! ,*iles-,:itt$ case4 ,b aft] a few m9utes ,i saw x 0 almo/ impossible4 ,fir/1 rockets at ,:ite ,s&s are laun*$ & controll$ ) utmo/ c>e4 ,!re h be5 no report$ cases ( su* a long-di/ance runaway4 ,second1 if su* a rocket _h gone a/ray1 x w\ld c]ta9ly h caus$ wild confusion at ,:ite ,s&s until !y f\nd :]e x l&$4 ,hundr$s ( p w\ld h kn[n ab\t x2 ! /ory w\ld be c]ta9 to leak out4 ,?ird1 su* a rocket w\ld h _h to travel f ,:ite ,s&s to ,macon1 ,georgia1 !n circle ar\nd s\? ( ?is city = ov] =ty m9utes4 7,if x _h kept on at ! spe$ obs]v$ at ,robb9s ,field1 x w\ld h pass$ ,montgom]y long be=e ! ,,dc-#c rea*$ ! area47 ,9 addition1 ! rocket w\ld h _h to ve] %>ply away f ! airl9]1 z bo? pilots te/ifi$1 & !n zoom into ! cl\ds4 ,no high-atmosph]e te/ rocket has automatic controls su* z ?is w\ld require4 ,& if x _h gone a/ray f ,:ite ,s&s1 ! /ation's remote control w\ld no long] be guid+ x4 ,! ,ea/]n ,airl9es 8space %ip10 !n1 0 n j a fugitive rocket4 ,b x c\ld be a new type ( aircraft1 some?+ revolution>y1 develop$ 9 absolute secrecy4 ,o!r airl9e pilots _h report$ fly+ disks rac+ along ! airways1 ?\gh none t ,i knew ( _h describ$ projectile-l objects4 ,*iles & ,:itt$ insi/$ ! my/]y %ip 0 n a disk1 & ! report f ,robb9s ,field agre$ on ?is po9t4 ,man-made devices or n1 x seem$ fairly c]ta9 !re 0 m ?an "o type ( sauc]4 ,! m ,i /udi$ ! evid5ce1 ! h>d] x 0 to believe t ?is 0 an e>?-made %ip4 ,su* a w+less rocket %ip w\ld require trem5d\s jet p[] to keep x 9 ! air4 ,ev5 our late/ jet bomb]s c\ld n beg9 to approa* its p]=mance4 ,go+ back ov] ! ,project 8,sauc]0 prelim9>y report1 ,i f\nd /rong evid5ce t ! ,air ,=ce 0 worri$4 ,9 _! inve/igation1 ,project teams _h scre5$ #bbe milit>y & civilian flight s*$ules4 ,aft] n9e mon?s1 !y report$ t ! my/]i\s object 0 no conv5tional aircraft4 ,on ,april #bg1 #aidi1 ! ,air ,=ce admitt$ t ,project 8,sauc]0 _h fail$ to f9d ! answ]4 ,! 8space %ip0 0 (ficially li/$ z unid5tifi$4 8,b ,wright ,field is /ill work+ on x10 an ,air ,=ce (fic] told me4 8,bo? ,*iles & ,:itt$ are responsible pilots1 & ,mc,kelvie has a reputation = mak+ c>eful /atem5ts4 ,ev5 )\t ! ,robb9s ,field confirmation1 no "o c\ld d\bt t !y saw some?+40 ,! ,*iles-,:itt$ 8space %ip0 0 n ! fir/ ( ?is type to be report$4 ,ano!r w+less aircraft 0 sight$ 9 ,augu/ #aidg1 by two pilots = an ,alabama fly+ s]vice4 ,x 0 at ,be!l1 ,alabama1 j aft] sunset1 :5 a huge black w+less craft swept across _! c\rse4 ,silh\ett$ aga9/ ! ev5+ sky1 x loom$ l>g] ?an a ,c-#ed4 ,! pilots saw no w+s1 motors1 or jet exhau/s4 ,sw++ 9 beh9d ! my/]y %ip1 !y attempt$ to foll[4 ,b at _! spe$ ( #agj m4p4h4 !y 7 quickly outdi/anc$4 ,c>eful *eck+ %[$ !re 7 no o!r planes ne>by t c\ld h be5 mi/ak5 = ?is /range craft4 ,on ,new ,ye>'s ,day1 #aidh1 a simil> rocket-%ap$ object 0 sight$ at ,jackson1 ,mississippi4 ,x 0 fir/ se5 by a =m] ,air ,=ce pilot & 8 pass5g]1 & lat] by witnesses on ! gr\nd4 ,be=e ! pilot c\ld beg9 to close 91 ! odd w+less %ip pull$ away4 ,spe$+ up f #bjj to #ejj m4p4h41 x swiftly disappe>$4 ,besides ^! two cases1 already on record1 ,i _h ! tips ,purdy _h giv5 me4 ,"o w+less %ip 0 suppos$ to h be5 se5 ?ree or f\r days be=e ! ,*iles-,:itt$ sight+2 l ! ?+ !y report$1 ! unid5tifi$ craft 0 a d\ble-deck$ 8space %ip0 b mov+ at ev5 high] spe$4 ,at fir/ ,i ran into a /one wall try+ to *eck ?is /ory4 ,!n ,i f\nd a lead con=m+ t ?is 0 a =eign report4 ,x f9ally prov$ to be f ,! ,hague4 ,! tip _h be5 "r4 ,?is d\ble-deck$1 w+less %ip _h be5 sight$ on ,july #bj1 #aidh--;f\r days be=e ! ,ea/]n case4 ,witnesses _h report$ x at a high altitude1 mov+ at fanta/ic spe$4 ,:ile work+ on ?is report1 ,i v]ifi$ ano!r tip4 ,we _h he>d a rumor ( a space-%ip sight+ at ,cl>k ,field1 9 ! ,philipp9e ,isl&s4 ,al?\gh ,i didn't le>n ! date1 ,i f\nd t !re 0 su* a record4 7,9 ! f9al ,project 8,sauc]0 report1 ! attempt to expla9 away ?is sight+ 0 pa9fully evid5t4 ,analyz+ ?is case1 ,numb] #bjf1 ! ,air ,=ce said3 8,if ! facts are correct1 !re is no a/ronomical explanation4 ,a few po9ts favor ! daytime meteor hypo!sis--sn[-:ite color1 spe$ fa/] ?an a jet1 ! ro>1 simil>ity to sky-writ+ & ! "t ( day4 ,b ! tactics1 if really p]=m$1 oppose x /r5u\sly3 ! maneuv]s 9 & out ( cl\d banks1 turns ( #ahj degrees or m1 ,possibly ^! 7 illusions1 caus$ by see+ ! object int]mitt5tly ?r\gh cl\ds4 ,! impression ( a fuselage ) w9d[s c\ld ev5 m easily h be5 a sign ( imag9ation40 7,) ?is conjecture1 ,project 8,sauc]0 li/$ ! sight+ z (ficially answ]$4 ,! ,hague space-%ip case 0 unexpla9$47 ,9 foll[+ up ! ,jackson & ,be!l reports1 ,i talk$ ) two (ficials 9 ! ,civil ,a]onautics ,adm9i/ration4 ,"o ( ^! 0 ,*>ley ,planck1 :o h&l$ public relations4 ,i f\nd t ! pilots conc]n$ _h good records2 ,c4,a4,a4 m5 :o knew !m disc\nt$ ! hoax !ory4 8,*>ley1 !re's a rumor t airl9e pilots h be5 ord]$ n to talk10 ,i told ,planck4 8,y "k any?+ ab\t x80 8,y mean ord]$ by ! ,air ,=ce or ! companies80 he said4 8,! ,air ,=ce & ! ,c4,a4,a40 8,if ! ,c4,a4,a4's 9 on x1 x's a top-level deal10 said ,*>ley4 8,i ?9k x's m likely ! companies--) or )\t a nudge f ! ,air ,=ce40 ,:ile we 7 talk+1 an (ficial f ano!r ag5cy came 94 ,because ! lead he gave me 0 (f ! record1 ,i'll call him ,/eve ,b>rett4 ,i knew ,/eve fairly well4 ,we 7 bo? pilots ) s]vice tra9+2 our pa?s _h cross$ dur+ ! w>1 & ,i saw him n[ & !n at airports ar\nd ,wa%+ton4 ,:5 ! sauc] sc>e fir/ broke1 ,/eve _h be5 disgu/$4 8,damn fools try+ to get publicity10 he snort$4 8,! way ,am]icans fall = a gag6 ,ev5 ! ,air ,=ce has got ! jitt]s40 ,s ,i 0 a little surpris$ to f9d he n[ ?\ght ! disks 7 real4 8,:at sold y80 ,i ask$4 8,! rad> reports10 said ,/eve4 8,i "k ( half a doz5 cases :]e !y've track$ ! ?+s4 ,"o 0 9 ,japan4 ,! ?+ 0 climb+ s fa/ no "o believ$ ! rad>m5 at fir/4 ,!n !y got "s m reports4 ,"o 0 up 9 ,canada4 ,!re 0 a case 9 ,new ,mexico1 & ,i ?9k a ,navy de/roy] track$ a sauc] up 9 ! ,nor? ,atlantic40 8,:at did !y f9d out80 said ,*>ley ,planck4 ,/eve %rugg$4 8,i don't "k all ! answ]s4 ,:atev] !y are1 ! ?+s c g l hell40 ,i _h a hun* he 0 hold+ back4 ,i wait$ until he _h f9i%$ ) ,*>ley1 & !n w5t1 d[n ! hall ) him4 8,y ?9k ! sauc]s are guid$ missiles80 ,i said4 8,if ,i ?\ght s1 ,i w\ldn't be talk+10 he said flatly1 8,t's n a dig at y4 ,b ,i 0 cle>$ la/ ye> = "s secret electronics "w1 & x might be us$ 9 "s way ) guid$ missiles40 8,i didn't "k t1 ,/eve40 8,x's ,o4,k410 he said4 8,i don't m9d talk+1 because c't believe ! sauc]s are guid$ missiles4 ,maybe few ( ! ?+s sight$ out 9 ! ,s\?we/ h be] our te/ rockets1 b t doesn't expla9 ! rad> reports 9 ,canada & ,japan40 8,i'd already he>d ab\t a rad> case 9 ,labrador10 ,i told ,/eve4 ,he look$ at me quickly4 8,:]e'd y pick t up20 8,true pass$ x on to me10 ,i said4 8,!y've _h "s tr\ble track+ ! ?+s1 !y maneuv] s fa/10 said ,/eve4 8,x s\nds crazy1 b ,i've be5 told !y hit m ?an t5 ?\s& miles an h\r40 8,y believe x480 8,well1 x's n impossible4 ,^? sauc]s 7 track$ ab\t fifty miles up1 :]e !re's n mu* resi/ance40 ,! elevator door op5$4 ,/eve wait$ until we 7 outside ( ! ,comm]ce ,build+4 8,!re's "o o!r ?+ t gets me10 he said4 8,unless ! rad> boys are way (f1 "s ( ^? sauc]s are enorm\s4 ,i j c't see a guid$ missile five hundr$ feet 9 diamet]40 ,he /opp$ = a mom5t4 8,i suppose ?is w s\nd screwy to y--0 8,y ?9k !y're int]planet>y10 ,i said4 ,/eve 0 quickly on ! def5sive4 8,i hav5't b\ght x yet1 b x's n z crazy z x s\nds40 ,)\t m5tion+ names1 ,i told him ab\t ! aircraft design] & ! airl9e pilots4 8,!y're 9 good company10 said ,/eve4 8,y "k ! ,air ,in/itute80 8,sure--! ,air ,=ce s*ool d[n at ,montgom]y40 8,six mon?s ago1 ,i 0 talk+ ) an (fic] :o'd be5 in/ruct+ !re40 ,/eve look$ at me1 deadly s]i\s4 8,he told me !y are n[ tea*+ t ! sauc]s are probably space %ips40 ,,*apt] ,,ix ,?ree days aft] my meet+ ) ,/eve ,b>rett1 ,i 0 on a ,ma9l9] #cjj1 />t+1 a new phase ( ! sauc] inve/igation4 ,by ! "t ,i return$1 ,i hop$ to "k ! tru? ab\t ,project 8,sauc]40 ,z ! %ip dron$ we/w>d1 f\rte5 ?\s& feet above ! ,allegh5ies1 ,i ?\ght ( :at ,/eve _h told me4 ,i believ$1 t he _h told me ab\t ! rad> track+4 ,& ,i 0 fairly sure he believ$ ! ,air ,in/itute /ory4 ,b ,i wasn't s c]ta9 ! /ory itself 0 true4 ,x w\ld h>dly be a gag2 ,/eve wasn't easily tak5 94 ,x 0 m likely t "o ,in/itute (fic]1 or p]haps sev]al1 believ$ ! sauc]s 7 space craft & air$ _! p]sonal op9ions4 ,! ,in/itute wasn't likely to give an (ficial answ] to some?+ t ,project 8,sauc]0 /ill decl>$ unsolv$4 ,if x 7 possible to get an inside look at ,project 8,sauc]0 op]ations1 ,i c\ld soon tell :e!r x 0 an actual inve/igation or a delib]ate cov]-up = some?+ else4 ,:i*ev] x 01 ! wall ( (ficial4 secrecy /ill hid x4 ,z a =mality1 ,i _h call$ ! ,p5tagon aga9 & ask$ to talk ) "s ( ! ,project (fic]s4 ,z ,i expect$1 ,i 0 turn$ d[n4 ,! only alt]native 0 to dig out ! /ory by talk+ ) pilots & o!rs :o _h be54 quizz$ by ,project teams4 ,i _h sev]al leads1 & ,true _h arrang$ "s int]views = me4 ,my fir/ /op 0 ,*icago1 :]e ,i met an airl9e (ficial & two comm]cial pilots4 ,i saw ! pilots fir/4 ,s9ce !y bo? talk$ 9 confid5ce1 ,i w n use _! "r names4 ,"o1 a ,midwe/]n] ,i already knew1 ,i'll call ,pete ,f>rell2 ! o!r1 a w>time in/ructor1 ,art ,gre54 ,pete 0 ab\t ?irty-"o1 /ocky1 blue-ey$1 ) a pleasant1 intellig5t face4 ,art ,gre5 0 a little old]1 a lean1 sunburn$1 re/less man ) an emphatic voice4 ,pete _h s]v$ ) ! ,air ,=ce dur+ ! w>2 he 0 n[ "p own] ( a fly+ s*ool1 also a pilot 9 ! ,air ,national ,gu>d4 ,gre5 0 work+ = an air *>t] s]vice ,we met at ! ,palm] ,h\se4 ,art ,gre5 didn't ne$ mu* prompt+ to talk ab\t ,project 8,sauc]40 ,aft] report+ a disk1 se5 dur+ a ,we/ ,coa/ ,"r1 he _h be5 ?or\ghly grill$ by a ,project 8,sauc]0 team4 8,!y practically took me ap>t10 he said irritably4 8,!y've got a lot ( trick que/ions4 ,"s ( 'em are figur$ out to trip up anybody fak+ a /ory4 ,! way !y work$ on me1 y'd ?9k ,i committ$ a murd]4 8,!n !y tri$ to sell me on ! idea ,i'd se5 a balloon1 or maybe a plane1 ) ! sun %9+ on x :5 x bank$4 ,i told !m to g to ! devil--,i knew :at ,i saw4 ,aft] sev5te5 ye>s1 ,i've got en\gh s5se to tell a %ip or a balloon :5 ,i see x40 8,did !y believe y80 ,i ask$ him4 8,if !y did1 !y didn't let on4 ,two ( 'em act$ z if !y ?\ght ,i 0 nuts4 ,! o!r guy-,i ?9k he 0 ,air ,=ce ,intellig5ce--act$ dec5t4 ,he said n to get /eam$ up ab\t ! ,a]o-,m$ical boys2 x 0 _! job to scre5 out ! crackpots4 8,& on top ( t1 ,i f\nd out lat] ! ,f4,b4,i4 _h *eck$ up on me to f9d out if ,i 0 a li> or a screwball4 ,!y w5t ar\nd to my boss1 p 9 my neighborhood--ev5 ! pilots 9 my outfit4 ,my outfit's /ill razz+ me4 ,i w\ldn't report ano!r sauc] if "o flew ?r\gh my cockpit40 ,pete ,f>rell hadn't enc\nt]$ any ,project 8,sauc]0 teams p]sonally1 b he _h "s int]e/+ angles4 ,"s ( ! in=mation _h come f comm]cial & private pilots 9 ! ,midwe/1 "p ( x ?r\gh ,national ,gu>d contacts4 8,i c tell y "o ?+10 ,pete said4 8,gu>d pilots got ! same ord] z ! ,air ,=ce4 ,if we saw any?+ peculi> fly+ ar\nd1 we 7 to d our damn$e/ to id5tify x40 8,:at ab\t try+ to br+ "o d[n8 ,i've he>d t 0 9 "o ord]40 ,pete hesitat$ = a second4 8,look1 ,i told y t mu* because x's be5 9 ! pap]s4 ,b ,i'm /ill 9 ! ,gu>d4 ,i c't tell y ! ord] itself4 ,x 0 confid5tial40 8,well1 ,i'm n 9 ! ,gu>d10 said ,art ,gre54 ,he lit a cig>ette1 blew out ! mat*4 8,:y don't y look into ! ,gorman case8 ,get ?c dope on t c\rt-m>tial angle40 ,i'd he>d ( ! ,gorman case1 b ! c\rt-m>tial ?+ 0 new to me4 ,gorman1 ,i recall$1 0 a fight] pilot 9 ! ,nor? ,dakota ,air ,national ,gu>d4 ,he _h a my/ify+ enc\nt] ) a /range1 fa/-mov+ 8light0 ov] ,f>go ,airport 9 ! fall ( #aidh4 8,t case is on my li/10 ,i told ,gre54 8,b ,i don't rememb] any?+ ab\t a c\rt-m>tial40 8,x wasn't 9 ! pap]s4 ,b all ! pilots up t way "k ab\t x4 ,9 8 report1 ,gorman said some?+ ab\t try+ to ram ! ?+4 ,! idea got ar\nd t ,air ,=ce ord]s _h said to try ?is4 ,anyway1 x got into ! pap]s & ,gorman almo/ got c\rt-m>tial$4 ,if 8 family hadn't _h "s influ5ce 9 ! /ate1 ! ,air ,=ce probably w\ld h pu%$ x40 8,are y sure ab\t ?is80 ,i said4 8,y "k h[ ^? ?+s build up40 8,ask ,gorman10 he said4 8,or ask "s ( ! pilots at ,f>go40 ,be=e ,i left !m1 ,gre5 d\ble-*eck$ my report on 8 sight+1 :i* ,hilton _h =w>d$4 ,z 9 ! majority ( cases1 he _h se5 j "o disk4 ,x _h hov]$ at a v high altitude1 gleam+ 9 ! sun1 !n _h sudd5ly accel]at$ & rac$ (f to ! nor?4 8,i c\ldn't tell its size or spe$10 said ,gre54 8,b if x 0 z high z ,i ?9k1 x mu/ h be5 pretty big40 ,pete told me lat] t ,gre5 believ$ ! disk _h be5 at lea/ tw5ty miles high1 because x 0 well above cl\ds at ?irty ?\s& feet4 8,x's k9d ( h>d to believe10 said ,pete4 8,! ?+ w\ld h to be a lot bigg] ?an a ,b-tw5ty-n9e1 & ! spe$ ov] two ?\s& miles an h\r40 8,y "k :at !y said ab\t ! ,mantell sauc]10 ,i rem9d$ him4 8,"s ( ! ,godman ,field p said x 0 at lea/ ?ree hundr$ feet 9 diamet]40 8,i've he>d x 0 twice t10 said ,pete4 8,y "k any ,k5tucky ,national ,gu>d pilots80 ,i ask$4 8,"o or two10 said ,pete4 8,b !y c\ldn't tell me any?+4 ,x 0 hu%$ up too fa/40 ,t ev5+ ,i talk$ ) ! airl9e (ficial1 :om ,i knew well en\gh to call by 8 fir/ "n4 ,i put x to him bluntly4 8,dick1 if y're "u ord]s n to talk1 j tell me4 ,fm try+ to f9d out :e!r ,project #8,sauc]' has muzzl$ airl9e pilots40 8,y mean ! ones :o've sight$ ?+s8 ,p]haps1 9 a few cases4 ,b mo/ ( ! pilots "k :at happ5$ to ,capta9 ,emil ,smi?1 on ,unit$1 & ^? ,ea/]n pilots4 ,!y keep /ill s !y won't be laugh$ at4 ,also ! airl9es don't l _! pilots to talk = publication40 8,i've he>d ( sev]al cases10 ,i said1 8:]e ,air ,=ce ,intellig5ce is suppos$ to h w>n$ pilots to keep mum4 ,two ( ! reports come pretty /raight40 ,he made a ge/ure4 8,t c\ld be4 ,i'm n d5y+ t airl9e pilots--& t includes ours--see ^! ?+s all ! "t4 ,!y've be5 sight$ on ! ,seattle-,alaska r\te1 & betwe5 ,an*orage & ,japan4 ,i "k ( sev]al sauc]s t pilots h se5 betwe5 ,honolulu & ! ma9l&4 ,*eck ) ,pan-,am]ican--y'll f9d _! pilots h se5 !m1 too40 8,:at happ5s to ^? reports80 8,!y g to ,op]ations10 said ,dick4 8,( c\rse1 if some?+ really important happ5s1 ! pilot may radio ! t[] be=e he l&s4 ,!n ! ,c4,a4,a4 gets ^w to ! ,air ,=ce1 & !y ru% "s ,intellig5ce (fic]s to quiz ! pilots4 if x's n too hot1 !y'd come f ,wright ,field--regul> ,project #8,sauc]' teams4 ,o!rwise1 !y'd s5d ! ne>e/ ,intellig5ce (fic]s to take ov] tempor>ily40 ,i ask$ him if he _h ev] be5 9 on "o ( !e sessions4 ,dick said he hadn't4 8,b a c\ple ( pilots talk$ to me lat]4 ,!y said ^! ,air ,=ce m5 seem$ q upset ab\t x2 !y p\nc$ on ev]y?+ ^! boys said ab\t ! ?+'s appe>ance--h[ x maneuv]$ & s on40 8,:at d y\r pilots ?9k ! sauc]s are80 ,dick gave me a slightly ironic gr94 8,:y ask me8 ,capta9 ,blake says y've be5 gett+ x fir/h&40 8,i wasn't pull+ a fa/ "o10 ,i prote/$4 8,we're n go+ to quote actual names or s\rces1 unless p4 ,o4,k4 x40 8,sure1 ,i "k t10 said ,dick4 8,b y've got ?c answ] already4 ,"s pilots say int]planet>y1 "s say guid$ missiles4 ,a few--a v few--/ill ?9k x's all nons5se1 because !y hav5't se5 any40 8,:at d y ?9k80 8,i don't "k ! answ]10 said ,dick1 8b ,i'm positive ( "o ?+4 ,ei!r ! ,air ,=ce is sitt+ on a big secret1 or !y're badly sc>$ because !y don't "k ! answ]40 ,dur+ ! next week or s1 ,i cov]$ sev]al nor?we/ & m\nta9 /ates4 ,al?\gh ,i 0 *iefly try+ to f9d out ab\t ,project 8,sauc]10 ,i ran onto two sight+s t 7 n on my li/4 ,"o ( ^! _h occurr$ 9 ,cali=nia1 at ,fairfield ,suisan ,air ,=ce ,base4 ,a ,seattle man :o _h be5 /ation$ !re gave me ! details4 ,x 0 on ! night ( ,decemb] #aiah1 ) unusually high w9ds sweep+ across ! airfield4 ,at times ! gu/s rea*$ almo/ sev5ty miles an h\r4 ,sudd5ly a weird ball ( light fla%$ into view1 at a height ( a ?\s& feet4 ,z ! m5 on ! base wat*$ x1 a/oni%$1 ! my/]i\s light abruptly %ot skyw>d4 ,9 an incr$ibly %ort "t1 x rea*$ an altitude ( tw5ty ?\s& feet & vani%$4 8,0 !re any %ape outl9$ beh9d ! light80 ,i ask$ ! ,seattle man4 8,nobody saw any10 he repli$4 8,x look$ j l ,i said--a ball ( light1 go+ l a /reak40 8,did x leave any smoke beh9d x80 8,y mean l an eng9e1 or a jet80 ,he %ook 8 head4 8,n a ?+4 ,& x didn't make a s\nd--ev5 :5 x %ot up l t40 8,did y he> any guesses ab\t x1 or reports lat] on80 8,"s major :o didn't see x said x mu/ h be5 a balloon4 ,anybody ) bra9s c\ld see t 0 screwy4 ,no balloon ev] w5t up t fa/--& besides1 ! ?+ 0 go+ aga9/ ! w9d40 ,! second incid5t occurr$ at ,salmon ,dam1 ,idaho1 on ,augu/ #ac1 #aidg4 ,:5 ,i he>d ! date1 x s\nd$ famili>4 ,i *eck$ my sight+s file & saw x 0 ! same day z ! /range affair at ,tw9 ,falls1 ,idaho4 ,9 ! ,tw9 ,falls case1 ! disk 0 sight$ by obs]v]s 9 a canyon4 ,!re 0 "o int]e/+ diff]5ce f ! usual description4 ,?is disk 0 sky-blue1 or else its gleam+ surface someh[ reflect$ ! sky because ( ! angle ( vision4 ,al?\gh x 0 n close to ! treetops1 ! obs]v]s 7 amaz$ to see ! trees :ip viol5tly :5 ! disk rac$ ov]head1 z ?\gh ! air 0 boil+ f ! object's swift passage4 ,at ,salmon ,dam1 t same day1 two m9]s he>d an odd ro>+ s\nd & />$ into ! sky4 ,sev]al miles away1 two brightly gleam+ disks 7 circl+ at high spe$4 8,x 0 l two r\nd mirrors :irl+ ar\nd ! sky10 "o ( ! m5 0 lat] quot$ z say+4 8,!y c\ldn't h be5 any ord9>y planes2 n r\nd l t4 ,& !y 7 go+ too fa/40 ,dur+ ?is "p ( my trip1 ,i also 0 told t "o sauc] _h fall5 into a m\nta9 lake4 ,?is came to me secondh&4 ,! lone witness 0 said to h ru%$ ov] to 8 c> to get 8 cam]a z ! disk approa*$4 ,:5 x plung$ t[>d ! lake1 he 0 s />tl$ t he fail$ to snap ! picture until ! mom5t x /ruck4 ,?is /ory s\nd$ s flimsy t ,i didn't bo!r to li/ x4 ,mon?s lat]1 a ,wa%+ton newsman confirm$ at lea/ "p ( ! lake /ory4 ,:5 he fir/ relat$ x1 ,i ?\ght he _h fall5 = a gag4 8,i he>d t y>n10 ,i said4 8,don't tell me y believe x80 8,i come f ,idaho10 he told me4 8,& ,i happ5 to "k ! fell[ :o took ! picture4 ,maybe x wasn't a disk1 b some?+ fell into t lake40 8,did y see ! picture80 8,yes1 at ! ,p5tagon40 ,at my surpris$ look1 he add$1 8,t 0 long be=e !y clamp$ d[n4 ,i 0 talk+ to an ,air ,=ce (fic] ab\t ?is lake ?+1 & he %[$ me ! picture40 8,:at did x look l80 8,y c\ldn't tell mu* ab\t x-j a big spla% & a blur :]e some?+ w5t "u4 ,maybe a magnify+ glass w\ld br+ x out1 b ,i didn't get a *ance to try x40 ,x 0 e>ly 9 #aiej :5 he told me ?is4 ,i ask$ at ! ,p5tagon if ?is picture 0 9 ! ,wright ,field files1 & if s :e!r ,i c\ld see x4 ,my inquiries drew blank looks4 ,no "o rememb]$ su* a photograph4 ,& ev5 if x 7 9 ! ,project 8,sauc]0 files1 ,i c\ldn't see x4 ,?is 0 m ?an two mon?s aft] ,project 8,sauc]0 _h be5 (ficially clos$ & its secrets presumably all reveal$4 ,! re/ ( my int]views dur+ ?is #aidi trip help$ to r\nd out my picture ( ,project 8,sauc]0 op]ations4 ,"s witnesses seem$ afraid to talk2 a few flatly refus$4 ,i f\nd no pro( ( (ficial pressure1 b ,i frequ5tly _h ! feel+ t /rong h9ts _h be5 dropp$4 ,?\gh "o or two witnesses %[$ res5tm5t at inve/igators' me?ods1 mo/ ( !m seem$ m annoy$ at ! loss ( "t involv$4 ,"o man _h be5 *eck$ fir/ by ! police1 !n by ! %]iff's (fice2 an ,air ,=ce team _h sp5t h\rs que/ion+ him1 return+ ! next day1 & f9ally ! ,f4,b4,i4 _h made a "* *eck4 ,:at he told me ab\t ! ,air ,=ce int]rogation confirm$ "o ( ,art ,gre5's /atem5ts4 8,"o ,intellig5ce capta9 tri$ to tell me ,i'd se5 a wea!r balloon4 ,i call$ up ! airport & _h !m *eck on release s*$ules4 ,!y said next day x didn't fit any s*$ules ar\nd ?is area4 ,anyway1 ! w9d wasn't "r1 because ! ?+ ,i saw 0 cutt+ into ! w9d at a =ty-five-degree angle40 ,o!r witnesses told me t inve/igators _h sugge/$ birds1 meteors1 reflections on cl\ds1 %oot+ />s1 & />%ells z probable explanations ( :at !y _h se54 ,i le>n$ ( "o pilot :o _h be5 />tl$ by see+ a gr\p ( disks rac+ pa/ 8 plane4 ,air ,=ce inve/igators lat] sugge/$ t he _h fl[n ?r\gh a flock ( birds1 or p]haps a clu/] ( balloons4 ,on ! flight back to ,wa%+ton1 ,i r]ead all ! in=mation ! ,air ,=ce _h releas$ on ,project 8,sauc]40 ,sudd5ly a famili> phrase caught my eye4 ,i read ov] ! p>agraph aga93 8,prelim9>y /udy ( ! m ?an #bdj dome/ic & ?irty =eign incid5ts by ,a/ro-,physici/ ,hynek indicates t an ov]-all total ( ab\t #cj c probably be expla9$ away z a/ronomical ph5om5a40 ,expla9$ away4 ,i w5t ?r\gh ! report l9e by l9e4 ,on page #ag ,i f\nd ?is3 8,available prelim9>y reports n[ indicate t a great numb] ( sight+s c be expla9$ away z ord9>y occurr5ces :i* h be5 misrepres5t$ z a result ( human errors40 ,on page #bb ,i ran onto ano!r use ( ! phrase3 8,! obvi\s explanation = mo/ ( ! sph]ical-%ap$ objects report$1 z already m5tion$1 is t !y are meteorological or simil> type balloons4 ,?is1 h[ev]1 does n expla9 reports t !y travel at high spe$ or maneuv] rapidly4 ,b #8,sauc]' m5 po9t out t ! movem5t c\ld be expla9$ away z an optical illusion or actual accel]ation ( ! balloon caus$ by a gas leak & lat] exagg]at$ by obs]v]s4 4 4 4 ,!re are scores ( possible explanations = ! scores ( diff]5t type sight+s report$40 ,expla9$ away 4 4 4 ,x might n mean any?+4 ,x c\ld be j an un=tunate *oice ( words4 ,b suppose t ! real mission ( ,project 8,sauc]0 0 to cov] up some?+4 ,or t its purpose 0 to inve/igate some?+ s]i\s1 at ! same "t cov]+ x up1 /ep by /ep4 ,! ,project 8,sauc]0 teams1 !n1 w\ld *eck on reports & simultane\sly try to div]t att5tion f ! tru?1 sugge/+ v>i\s answ]s to expla9 ! sight+s4 ,back at ,wright ,field1 analy/s & ,intellig5ce (fic]s w\ld g ov] ! g5]al picture & try to "w up plausible explanations1 :i*1 if necess>y1 c\ld ev5 be publi%$4 8,expla9+ away0 w\ld be "o ( ! ma9 purposes ( ,project p]sonnel4 ,^! words w\ld probably be us$ 9 discussions ( ways & means2 !y w\ld und\bt$ly w\ld be us$ 9 secret (ficial pap]s4 ,& s9ce ?is publi%$ prelim9>y report _h be5 made up f c5sor$ secret files1 ! use ( ^? famili> words might h be5 ov]look$1 s9ce1 read casually1 !y w\ld appe> h>mless4 ,if ! report _h be5 ?r[n toge!r ha/ily1 ! use ( ^! telltale words c\ld be easily und]/ood1 & s c\ld ! report's /range contradictions4 ,z an exp]im5t1 ,i fix$ ! idea firmly 9 m9d t ,project 8,sauc]0 0 a cov]-up unit4 ,!n ,i w5t back once m & read ! items quot$ above4 ,! effect 0 almo/ />tl+4 ,x 0 z ?\gh ,i 7 read+ confid5tial sugge/ions = div]t+ att5tion & expla9+ away ! sight+s2 sugge/ions made by ,project memb]s & probably circulat$ = comm5t4 8,n[1 wait a m9ute10 ,i said to myself4 8,y may be dream+ up ?is :ole ?+40 ,try+ to get back to a neutral viewpo9t1 ,i skimm$ ?r\gh ! o!r details ( ,project op]ations1 z describ$ 9 ! report4 ,! ord] creat+ ,project 8,sauc]0 0 sign$ on ,decemb] #cj1 #aidg4 7,! actual code "n 0 n 8,sauc]10 b s9ce = "s reason ! ,air ,=ce /ill has n publi%$ ! "n1 ,i h foll[$ _! usage ( 8,sauc]0 9 its place47 ,on ,janu>y #bb1 #aidh1 two weeks aft] ,capta9 ,mantell's dea?1 ! project (ficially began op]ations4 7,prelim9>y inve/igation at ,godman ,field _h be5 done by local ,intellig5ce (fic]s47 ,project 8,sauc]0 0 set up "u ! ,air ,mat]iel ,comm& at ,wright ,field4 ,contracts 7 made ) an a/rophysici/ 7,pr(essor ,joseph ,hynek71 also a prom95t sci5ti/ 7/ill unid5tifi$71 & a gr\p ( evaluation exp]ts 7,r& ,corporation74 ,arrangem5ts 7 made = s]vices by ! ,air ,wea!r ,s]vice1 ,&rews ,field2 ! ,u4 ,s4 ,wea!r ,bureau2 ! ,electronics ,laboratory1 ,cambridge ,field ,/ation2 ! ,a4,m4,c4 ,a]o-,m$ical ,laboratory2 ! ,army & ,navy ,dep>tm5ts2 ! ,f4,b4,i42 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,comm]ce1 ,civil ,a]onautics ,adm9i/ration2 & v>i\s o!r gov]nm5t & private ag5cies4 ,9 addition1 ! s]vices ( rocket exp]ts1 guid$-missile au?orities1 space-travel plann]s1 & o!rs 79 ! def5se s]vices or assign$ to !m7 7 made available z desir$4 ,"u ! head+ 8,h[ ,incid5ts ,are ,inve/igat$10 ! ,project 8,sauc]0 report says3 ,b ! hoaxes & crank lett]s 9 reality play a small "p 9 ,project 8,sauc]40 ,actually1 x is a s]i\s1 sci5tific bus9ess ( con/ant inve/igation1 analysis & evaluation :i* ?us f> has yield$ evid5ce po9t+ to ! conclusion t mu* ( ! sauc] sc>e is no sc>e at all1 b c be attribut$ to a/ronomical ph5om5a1 to conv5tional a]ial objects1 to halluc9ations & to mass psy*ology4 ,b ! m]e exi/5ce ( "s yet unid5tifi$ fly+ objects necessitates a con/ant vigilance on ! "p ( ,project 8,sauc]0 p]sonnel & ! civilian population4 ,inve/igation is greatly /epp$ up :5 obs]v]s report incid5ts z soon z possible to ! ne>e/ milit>y in/allation or to ,headqu>t]s1 ,a4,m4,c41 direct4 ,a /&>d que/ionnaire is fill$ out "u ! guidance ( int]rogators4 ,9 ea* case1 "t1 location1 size & %ape ( object1 approximate altitude1 spe$1 maneuv]s1 color1 l5g? ( "t 9 sight1 s\nd1 etc41 are c>efully not$4 ,?is in=mation is s5t 9 its entirety1 toge!r ) any fragm5ts1 soil photographs1 draw+s1 etc41 to ,headqu>t]s1 ,a4,m4,c4 ,"h1 highly tra9$ evaluation teams take ov]4 ,! in=mation is brok5 d[n & fil$ on summ>y %eets1 plott$ on maps & graphs & integrat$ ) ! re/ ( ! mat]ial1 giv+ an easily compreh5d$ ov]-all picture4 ,duplicate copies on ea* incid5t arc s5t to o!r inve/igat+ ag5cies1 includ+ te*nical labs )9 ! ,air ,mat]iel ,comm&4 ,^! are /udi$ 9 relation to _m factors su* z guid$ missile rese>* activity1 wea!r1 & _m o!rs1 atmosph]ic s\nd+ balloon laun*+s1 comm]cial & milit>y aircraft flights1 flights ( migratory birds & a myriad ( o!r consid]ations :i* might furni% explanations4 ,g5]ally1 ! fly+ objects are divid$ into f\r gr\ps3 ,fly+ disks1 torp$o or cig>-%ap$ bodies ) no w+s or f9s visible 9 flight1 sph]ical or balloon-%ap$ objects & balls ( light4 ,! fir/ ?ree gr\ps are capable ( flight by a]odynamic or a]o/atic means & c be propell$ & controll$ by me?ods kn[n to a]onautical eng9e]s4 ,z = ! lights1 _! actions--unless !y 7 susp5d$ f a high] object or 7 ! product ( halluc9ation--rema9 unexpla9$4 ,ev5tually1 reports are s5t back to ,project 8,sauc]0 headqu>t]s1 (t5 m>k+ incid5ts clos$4 ,! project1 h[ev]1 is a "y "o-mu* ( its inve/igation is /ill "u way4 ,curr5tly1 a psy*ological analysis is be+ made by ,a4,m4,c4's ,a]o-,m$ical laboratory to det]m9e :at p]c5tage ( incid5ts are probably bas$ on errors ( ! human m9d & s5ses4 ,available prelim9>y reports n[ indicate t a great numb] c be expla9$ away z ord9>y occurr5ces :i* h be5 misrepres5t$ z a result ( ^! human errors4 ,ne> ! end ( ! la/ page1 a p>agraph summ$ tip ! report4 8,! #8,sauc]s' are n a joke4 ,nei!r are !y cause = al>m to ! population4 ,_m ( ! incid5ts already h answ]s4 ,meteors4 ,balloons4 ,fall+ />s4 ,birds 9 flight4 ,te/+ devices1 etc4 ,"s ( !m /ill end 9 "q m>ks40 ,f :at ,i _h le>n$ on ?is trip1 ,i /rongly d\bt$ ! answ] sugge/$4 ,all b ! 8te/+ devices40 ,:at did !y mean by t8 ,x c\ld be a h9t at guid$ missiles2 !y _h already m5tion$ guid$-missile rese>* activity 9 ano!r spot4 ,b if t 0 :at lay beh9d ?is elaborate project1 !y w\ld h>dly be h9t+ at x4 ,if ! answ] 0 space travel1 !n su* h9ts made s5se1 ,!y w\ld be "p ( ! cov]-up plan4 ,ev]yone--includ+ ! ,soviet ,union--knew we 7 work+ on guid$ missiles4 ,x w\ld d no h>m to use ?is z "o ( ! 8myriad explanations0 = ! fly+ sauc]s4 ,i 0 /ill try+ to figure x out :5 my plane let d[n = ! l&+ at ,wa%+ton4 ,i _h hop$ by ?is "t to "k ! tru? ab\t ,project 8,sauc]40 ,in/ead1 x 0 a deep] my/]y ?an ev]4 ,true1 ,i _h f\nd out h[ !y op]at$--outside ( ,wright ,field4 ,"s ( ! incid5ts _h be5 enlight5+4 ,by n[1 ,i 0 c]ta9 t ,project 8,sauc]0 0 try+ h>d to expla9 away ! sight+s & hide ! real answ]4 ,,*apt] ,x ,:5 ,i rea*$ home1 ,i f\nd a brief lett] f ,k5 ,purdy4 ,de> ,don3 ,! ,mantell & ,ea/]n cases bo? look good4 ,i don't see h[ !y c bru% !m (f4 ,x looks m l ! int]planet>y answ] to me1 b we won't decide on treatm5t until we're sure4 ,i _h sugge/$ two or ?ree angles1 if ?is prov$ ! real answ]4 ,:o w\ld be ! be/ au?ority to *eck our disk op]ation !ory & give u m details on directional control8 ,i'd l to h x *eck$ by two m eng9e]s4 ,,k5 ,next day1 ,i dug out my copy ( ,boal's int]view ) ,d------1 ! fam\s aircraft design]4 8,c]ta9ly ! fly+ sauc]s are possible10 ! design] _h told ,boal4 8,give me en\gh money & ,i'll build y "o4 ,x might h to be a model because ! fuel w\ld be a problem4 ,if ! sauc]s t h be5 se5 came f o!r worlds1 :i* isn't at all ,buck ,rog]i%1 !y may be p[]$ ) atomic en]gy or by ! en]gy t produces cosmic rays--:i* is _m times m p[]ful--or by "s o!r fuel or natural =ce t our rese>* hasn't yet discov]$4 ,b ! circul> airfoil is q feasible4 8,x w\ldn't h ! /ability ( ! conv5tional airplane1 b x w\ld h enorm\s maneuv]ability--x c\ld rise v]tically1 hov]1 desc5d v]tically1 & fly at extremely high spe$1 ) ! prop] p[]4 ,don't take my ^w = x4 ,*eck ) o!r eng9e]s40 ,be=e look+ up a private eng9e] ,i _h 9 m9d1 ,i w5t to ! ,national ,advisory ,committee = ,a]onautics4 ,! ,n4,a4,c4,a4 is ,am]ica's mo/ au?oritative s\rce ( a]odynamic k4 ,i knew !y _h already tri$ out disk-%ap$ airfoils1 & ,i ask$ ab\t ?is fir/4 ,i f\nd t two (ficial ,n4,a4,c4,a4 reports1 ,te*nical ,note #eci & ,report #dca1 discuss te/s on circul> & elliptical ,cl>k ,y airfoils4 ,bo? reports /ate t ^! designs 7 f\nd practical4 ,lat]1 ,i talk$ ) "o ( ! top eng9e]s 9 ! ,n4,a4,c4,a4 ,)\t %[+ him ,d------'s sket*1 ,i ask$ h[ a disk might op]ate4 8,x c\ld be built ) v>iable-direction jet or rocket nozzles10 be said4 8,! nozzles w\ld be plac$ ar\nd ! rim1 & by *ang+ _! direction ! disk c\ld be made to rise & desc5d v]tically4 ,x c\ld hov]1 fly /raight ahead1 & make %>p turns4 8,its direction & velocity w\ld be gov]n$ by ! numb] ( nozzles op]at+1 ! p[] appli$1 & ! angle at :i* !y 7 tilt$4 ,!y c\ld be po9t$ t[>d ! gr\nd1 re>w>d1 9 a lat]al direction1 or 9 v>i\s comb9ations4 8,a disk fly+ level1 /raight ahead1 c\ld be turn$ swiftly to "r or left by %ift+ ! angles ( ! nozzles or cutt+ (f p[] f "p ( ! gr\p4 ,?is me?od ( control w\ld op]ate 9 ! e>?'s atmosph]e & also1 us+ rocket p[]1 9 free space1 :]e conv5tional controls w\ld be useless40 ,! me?od he _h describ$ 0 n ! "o :i* ,d------ _h outl9$4 8,:at ab\t a rotat+ disk80 ,i ask$ ! ,n4,a4,c4,a4 man4 8,suppose y _h "o ) a /ation>y c5t]1 & a l>ge circul> section rotat+ ar\nd x8 ,! rotat+ "p w\ld h a camb] built into x1 or x w\ld h slott$ vanes40 ,he gave me a curi\s look1 8,:]e'd y get t idea ab\t ! camb]80 ,i told him x _h come to me f ,true4 8,x c\ld be done10 he said4 8,! slott$-vanes me?od has already be5 tri$4 ,!re's an eng9e] 9 ,gl5dale1 ,cali=nia1 :o's built a model4 ,8 "n's ,e4 ,w4 ,kay40 ,he gave me a few details on h[ a camb]$ or slott$-vane rotat+ disk might op]ate1 !n int]rupt$ himself to ask me :at ,i ?\ght ! sauc]s 74 8,!y're ei!r int]planet>y or "s secret developm5t10 ,i said4 #8,:at d y ?9k80 8,! ,n4,a4,c4,a4 has no pro( !y ev5 exi/10 he answ]$4 ,:5 ,i left ! build+ a few m9utes lat]1 ,i 0 /ill weigh+ t /atem5t4 ,if ! ,air ,=ce or ! ,navy _h a secret disk device1 ! ,n4,a4,c4,a4 w\ld almo/ c]ta9ly "k ab\t x4 ,! *ances 7 t any disk-%ap$ missile or new type ( circul> aircraft w\ld fir/ h be5 te/$ 9 ! ,n4,a4,c4,a4 w9d tunnels at ,langley ,field4 ,if ! sauc]s 7 int]planet>y1 ! ,n4,a4,c4,a4--at lea/ top (ficials--w\ld probably h be5 9 on any discussion ( ! disks' p]=mance4 ,ei!r way1 ! ,n4,a4,c4,a4's (ficial attitude c\ld be expect$ to mat* ! ,p5tagon's4 ,aft] lun*1 ,i took a taxi to ! (fice ( ! private eng9e]4 ,l ,d------1 he has ask$ t he n be quot$ by "n4 ,! "n ,i am us+1 ,paul ,r$ell1 w s]ve t purpose4 ,r$ell is a well-kn[n a]onautical eng9e]4 ,he has work$ ) major aircraft companies & s]v$ z a special consultant to gov]nm5t ag5cies & ! indu/ries4 ,he is also a compet5t pilot4 ,al?\gh ,i _h kn[n him sev]al ye>s1 he refus$ at fir/ to talk ab\t ! sauc]s4 ,!n ,i realiz$ he ?\ght ,i meant to quote him4 ,i %[$ him "s ( ! mat]ial ,i _h r\gh$ out1 9 :i* names 7 omitt$ or *ang$ z reque/$4 8,all "r10 ,r$ell said f9ally4 8,:at d y want to "k80 8,any?+ y c tell u4 ,b fir/1 y\r ideas on ^! sket*es40 ,i %[$ him ,d------'s draw+s & !n gave him ! high po9ts ( ! inve/igation4 ,:5 ,i m5tion$ ! my/]y-light incid5t at ,fairfield ,suisan ,air ,=ce ,base1 ,r$ell sat up quickly4 8,! ,gorman case aga960 8,we he>d ab\t "s o!r #8light' cases10 ,i said4 8,"o 0 at ,las ,vegas40 8,i "k ab\t t "o4 ,t is1 x y mean ! gre5 light--wait a m9ute60 ,r$ell fr[n$ into space = a few seconds1 8,y say t ,fairfield ,suisan sight+ 0 on ,decemb] ?ird8 ,!n ! ,las ,vegas sight+ 0 only a few days lat]4 ,x 0 ! fir/ week ( ! mon?1 ,i'm positive40 8,^? light reports h got me /ump$10 ,i said4 8,a light j c't fly ar\nd by itself4 ,& ^? two-foot disks--0 8,y hav5't work$ on ! ,gorman case80 ask$ ,r$ell4 ,i told him ,i hadn't ?\ght x 0 com+ up on my s*$ule4 8,leave ^! sket*es "h10 he said4 8,look into t ,gorman sight+4 ,!n *eck on our plans = space exploration4 ,i'll give y "s s\rces4 ,:5 y get ?r\gh1 come on back & we'll talk x ov]40 ,! ,gorman 8sauc] dogfight0 _h be5 describ$ 9 newspap]s2 ! pilot _h report$ *as+ a swiftly maneuv]+ :ite light1 :i* _h f9ally escap$ him4 ,judg+ f ! ,project 8,sauc]0 prelim9>y report1 ?is case _h baffl$ all ! ,air ,=ce inve/igators4 ,:5 ,i met ,george ,gorman1 ,i f\nd him to be intellig5t1 coolhead$1 & v firmly conv9c$ ( e detail 9 8 /ory4 ,i _h le>n$ some?+ ab\t 8 backgr\nd4 ,he _h _h college tra9+4 ,dur+ ! w>1 he _h be5 an ,air ,=ce in/ructor1 tra9+ ,fr5* /ud5t pilots4 ,9 ,f>go1 8 home1 he _h a good reputation1 n only = v]acity b z a bus9essman4 ,only tw5ty-six1 he 0 "p own] ( a con/ruction company1 & also ! ,f>go repres5tative = a h>dw>e-/ore *a94 ,ev5 kn[+ all ?is1 ,i f\nd x h>d at fir/ to believe "s ( ! dogfight details4 ,b ! gr\nd obs]v]s confirm$ !m4 ,x 0 ab\t n9e o'clock 9 ! ev5+1 ,octob] #a1 #aidh4 ,gorman1 n[ an ,air ,national ,gu>d lieut5ant1 _h be5 on a practice flight 9 an ,f-#ea fight]4 ,! o!r pilots on ?is practice patrol _h already l&$4 ,gorman _h j be5 cle>$ by ! ,c4,a4,a4 op]ator 9 ! ,f>go ,airport t[] :5 he saw a fa/-mov+ light bel[ 8 circl+ fight]4 ,f 8 altitude1 #d1ejj feet1 x appe>$ to be ! tail light ( a swiftly fly+ plane4 ,z ne>ly z he c\ld tell1 x 0 #a1jjj feet high1 mov+ at ab\t #bej m4p4h4 ,gorman call$ ! t[] to re*eck 8 cle>ance4 ,he 0 told ! only o!r plane 9 ! area 0 a ,pip] ,cub4 ,gorman ,c\ld see ! ,cub pla9ly outl9$ bel[ him4 ,!re 0 a night football game go+ on1 & ! field 0 brightly light$4 ,b ! ,cub 0 n[h]e ne> ! /range light4 ,z ! my/]y light rac$ above ! football field4 ,gorman notic$ an odd ph5om5on4 ,in/ead ( see+ ! silh\ette ( a plane1 he saw no %ape at all ar\nd ! light4 ,by contra/1 he c\ld see ! ,cub's outl9e cle>ly4 ,meantime1 ! airport traffic controll]1 ,l4 ,d4 ,j5s51 _h also spott$ ! que] light4 ,conc]n$ ) ! dang] ( collision--he said lat] t he1 too1 ?\ght x a plane's tail light--he tra9$ 8 b9ocul>s on x4 ,l ,gorman1 he 0 unable to di/+ui% a %ape ne> ! light4 ,nei!r c\ld ano!r ,c4,a4,a4 man :o 0 ) him 9 ! t[]1 a ,f>go resid5t nam$ ,manuel ,e4 ,johnson4 ,up 9 ! ,f-#ea1 ,gorman div$ on ! light1 :i* 0 /eadily bl9k+ on & (f4 8,z ,i clos$ 910 he told ,project 8,sauc]0 m5 lat]1 8x sudd5ly became /eady & pull$ up into a %>p left turn4 ,x 0 a cle> :ite & completely r\ndab\t six to eight in*es 9 diamet]4 8,i ?\ght x 0 mak+ a pass at ! t[]4 ,i div$ aft] x & br\ght my manifold pressure up to sixty1 b ,i c\ldn't cat* ! ?+40 ,gorman report$ 8 spe$ at full p[] z #cej to #djj miles p] h\r4 ,dur+ ! maneuv]s t foll[$1 bo? ! ,c4,a4,a4 m5 wat*$ f ! t[]4 ,j5s5 0 us+ p[]ful night glasses1 b /ill no %ape 0 visible ne> ! my/]i\s light4 ,! fanta/ic dogfight cont9u$ = tw5ty m9utes4 ,gorman describ$ x 9 detail4 8,:5 ,i attempt$ to turn ) ! light1 ,i black$ out tempor>ily1 ow+ to excessive spe$4 ,i am 9 fairly good physical condition1 & ,i don't believe !re are _m1 if any1 pilots :o c\ld )/& ! turn & spe$ effect$ by ! light & rema9 consci\s40 ,dur+ ^! %>p maneuv]s1 ! light climb$ quickly1 !n made ano!r left bank4 8,i put my fifty-"o into a %>p turn & tri$ to cut x (f10 said ,gorman4 8,by !n we 7 at ab\t sev5 ?\s& feet1 ,sudd5ly x made a %>p "r turn & we head$ /raight at ea* o!r4 ,j :5 we 7 ab\t to collide ,i guess ,i lo/ my n]ve4 ,i w5t into a dive & ! light pass$ ov] my canopy at ab\t five hundr$ feet4 ,!n x made a left circle ab\t "o ?\s& feet above & ,i gave *ase aga940 ,:5 collision seem$ imm95t a second "t1 ! object %ot /raight into ! air4 ,gorman climb$ aft] x at full ?rottle4 ,j ab\t ?is "t1 two4 o!r witnesses1 a private pilot & 8 pass5g]1 saw ! fa/-mov+ light4 ,! pilot 0 ,dr4 ,a4 ,d4 ,cannon1 an oculi/2 8 pass5g] 0 ,e9> ,nelson4 ,dr4 ,cannon lat] told inve/igators ! light 0 mov+ at high spe$4 ,he ?\ght x might be a ,canadian jet fight] f ov] ! bord]4 7,a c>eful *eck ) ,canadian air (ficials rul$ out ?is answ]47 ,aft] l&+ at ! airport1 ,dr4 ,cannon & ,mr4 ,nelson aga9 wat*$ ! light1 saw x *ange direction & disappe>4 ,mean:ile1 ,gorman 0 mak+ desp]ate ef=ts to cat* ! ?+4 ,he 0 n[ det]m9$ to ram x1 s9ce !re seem$ no?+ solid beh9d x to cause a dang]\s cra%4 ,if 8 fight] 0 disabl$1 or if x caught fire1 he c\ld bail out4 ,b despite ! ,f-#ea's fa/ climb1 ! light /ill outdi/anc$ him4 ,at #ad1jjj feet1 ,gorman's plane w5t into a p[] /all1 ,he made "o la/ try1 climb+ up to #ag1jjj feet4 ,a few mom5ts lat]1 ! light turn$ 9 a nor?-nor?we/ direction & quickly disappe>$4 ,?r\gh\t ! dogfight1 ,gorman notic$ no deviation on 8 in/rum5ts1 accord+ to ! ,project 8,sauc]0 report4 ,gorman did n confirm or d5y ?is :5 ,i talk$ ) him4 ,b he did agree ) ! re/ ( ! ,project /atem5t4 ,he did n notice any s\nd1 odor1 or exhau/ trail4 ,gorman's rem>ks ab\t ramm+ ! light rem9d$ me ( :at ,art ,gre5 _h said4 ,:5 ,i ask$ ,gorman ab\t ! c\rt-m>tial rumor1 he gave me a se>*+ glance4 8,:]e did y he> t80 8,sev]al places10 ,i told him4 8,at ,*icago1 9 ,salt ,lake ,city--9 fact1 we've be5 he>+ x all ov]40 8,well1 !re's no?+ to x10 ,gorman decl>$4 ,he *ang$ ! subject4 ,"s "t aft]w>d1 a ,f>go pilot told me !re _h be5 tr\ble ov] ! ramm+ /ory4 8,b x wasn't ,gorman's fault4 ,somebody else releas$ t report to ! ,a4 ,p4 ,! news /ory didn't actually say !re 0 an ,air ,=ce ord] to ram x1 b ! idea got ar\nd1 & we he>d t ,wa%+ton squawk$4 ,gorman _h a pretty r\gh "t ( x = a :ile4 ,"s ( ! newspap]s razz$ 8 /ory4 ,& ! ,project #8,sauc]' teams really work$ on him4 ,i guess !y 7 try+ to sc>e him into say+ he 0 mi/ak51 & x 0 a balloon40 ,:5 ,i ask$ ,gorman ab\t ?is1 he d5i$ he'd _h r\gh treatm5t by ! ,project teams4 8,sure1 !y ask$ ab\t a ?\s& que/ions1 & ,i c\ld tell !y ?\ght x might be a hoax at fir/4 ,b t 0 be=e !y quizz$ ! o!rs :o saw x40 8,anybody sugge/ x 0 a balloon80 ,i said casually4 8,at fir/1 !y 7 sure t's :at x 010 answ]$ ,gorman4 8,y see1 !re 0 a wea!r balloon releas$ "h4 ,y "k ! k9d1 x has a light$ c&le on x4 ,! ,project teams said ,i'd *as$ aft] t c&le & j imag9$ ! light's maneuv]s--confus$ x ) my own movem5t1 because ( ! d>k40 ,gorman gr9n$4 8,!y _h x j ab\t wrapp$ up--until !y talk$ to ,george ,s&]son4 ,he's ! wea!r obs]v]4 ,he 0 track+ ! balloon ) a !odolite1 & he %[$ !m 8 records4 ,! "t & altitudes didn't fit1 & ! w9d direction 0 wrong4 ,! balloon 0 drift+ 9 ! opposite direction4 ,bo? ! t[] m5 back$ him up4 ,s t kill$ ! wea!r-balloon idea40 ,! next /ep by ,project 8,sauc]0 inve/igators _h be5 to look = "s unid5tifi$ aircraft4 ,?is fail$1 too4 ,obvi\sly1 x 0 only r\t9e2 ! outl9e ( a conv5tional plane w\ld c]ta9ly h be5 se5 by ,gorman & ! m5 9 ! t[]4 ,an a/ronomical *eck by ,pr(essor ,hynek rul$ out />s1 fireballs1 & comets--a va9 hope1 to beg9 )4 ,! only o!r conv5tional answ]1 z ! ,project report lat] /at$1 0 halluc9ation4 ,9 view ( all ! te/imony1 halluc9ation _h to he rul$ out4 ,f9ally1 ! inve/igators admitt$ !y _h no solution4 ,! fir/ ,project 8,sauc]0 report1 on ,april #bg1 #aidi1 left ! ,gorman 8my/]y light0 unid5tifi$4 ,9 ! ,saturday ,ev5+ ,po/ ( ,may #g1 #aidi1 ,sidney ,%allett analyz$ ! ,gorman case1 9 ! second ( 8 articles on fly+ sauc]s4 ,%allet sugge/$ ?is solution3 t ,gorman _h *as$ "o ( ! ,navy's giant cosmic-ray rese>* balloons4 ,ea* ( ^! huge balloons is light$1 s t night-fly+ planes w n collide ) ! gas bag or ! in/rum5t case susp5d$ bel[4 ,%allett conclud$ t ,gorman 0 suff]+ f a comb9ation ( v]tigo & confusion ) ! light on ! balloon4 ,z already m5tion$1 ^! huge ,navy balloons are fill$ ) only a small am\nt ( helium be=e _! release at ,m9neapolis4 ,!y !n rise swiftly to v high altitudes1 unless a leak develops4 ,9 ,%allett's words1 8,^! balloons travel high & fa/4 4 4 40 ,f>go is ab\t two hundr$ miles f ,m9neapolis4 ,normally1 a cosmic-ray rese>* balloon w\ld h rea*$ a v high altitude by ! "t x _h drift$ ?is f>4 ,! only possible answ] to its l[-altitude sight+ w\ld be a s]i\s leak4 ,if a leak+ balloon _h come d[n to "o ?\s& feet at ,f>go1 x w\ld ei!r h rema9$ at t height or kept on desc5d+4 ,! my/]y light 0 obs]v$ at ?is altitude mov+ at high spe$4 ,if a ,cub's outl9e 0 visible aga9/ ! light$ football field1 ! massive %ape ( ev5 a p>tly deflat$ balloon w\ld h /ood out l an elephant4 ,ev5 be=e release1 ! p>tially inflat$ gas bags are almo/ a hundr$ feet tall4 ,! cr[d at ! football game w\ld c]ta9ly h se5 su* a mon/r\s %ape above ! gl>e ( ! floodlights1 = ! pla/ic balloons gleam brightly 9 any light rays4 ,! two ,c4,a4,a4 m51 wat*+ ) b9ocul>s1 c\ld n possibly h miss$ x4 ,= ! cosmic-balloon answ] to be correct1 ?is leak+ gas bag w\ld h _h to rise swiftly to sev5te5 ?\s& feet--aft] a loss ( helium _h =c$ x d[n to "o ?\s&4 ,z a balloon pilot1 ,i "k ?is is impossible4 ,! ,project 8,sauc]0 report said unequivocally3 8,! object c\ld outturn & outspe$ ! ,f-#ea1 & 0 able to atta9 a mu* /eep] climb & to ma9ta9 a con/ant rate ( climb f> 9 excess ( ! ,air ,=ce fight]40 ,a leak+ balloon8 ,m & m1 ,i became conv9c$ t ,secret>y ,=re/al _h p]suad$ "s editors t x 0 _! patriotic duty to conceal ! answ]1 :atev] x 04 ,t ?\ght _h begun to worry me1 because ( my "p 9 ?is inve/igation4 ,p]haps ,john ,/eele _h be5 "r1 & we %\ldn't be try+ to dig out ! answ]4 ,b ,i _h already told ,purdy1 & he _h agre$1 t if national security 0 involv$1 we w\ld drop ! ?+ completely4 ,by ! "t ,i _h prov$ ! balloon answ] wrong1 ,i 0 badly puzzl$4 ,! idea ( a disembodi$ light 0 ! h>de/ ?+ to swall[ t ,i'd come across s f>4 ,& yet !re 7 ! o!r light reports--! /range sight+ at ,fairfield ,suisan ,field1 ! weird gre5 lights at ,las ,vegas & ,albuqu]que4 ,& !re 0 ! enc\nt] t ,lieut5ant ,h4 ,g4 ,combs _h _h "o night above ,&rews ,field1 ne> ,wa%+ton1 ,d4 ,c4 ,?is incid5t _h occurr$ on ,novemb] #ah1 #aidh1 six weeks aft] ,gorman's exp]i5ce4 ,combs1 fly+ ) ano!r lieut5ant nam$ ,jackson1 0 ab\t to l& 8 ,t-#f1 at #i3de ,p4,m41 :5 a /range object loom$ up ne> him4 ,x look$ l a grayi% globe1 & x gave (f an odd1 fuzzy light4 ,combs *as$ ! weird object = ov] t5 m9utes1 dur+ :i* x appe>$ to evade e move he made4 ,once1 its spe$ 0 ne>ly six hundr$ miles an h\r1 z closely z he c\ld e/imate4 ,9 a f9al attempt to id5tify x1 ,combs zoom$ ! ,t-#f up at a /eep angle & fla%$ 8 l&+ lights on x4 ,be=e he c\ld get a good look1 ! globe light :irl$ (f to ! ea/ & vani%$4 ,s9ce ,combs's /ory _h be5 9 ! newspap]s1 ,project 8,sauc]0 evid5tly _h felt 9 wise to give "s explanation4 ,:5 ,i read x1 9 ! prelim9>y report1 ,i 0 amaz$4 ,"h 0 ! conclud+ s5t5ce3 8,! my/]y 0 cle>$ up :5 ! object 0 id5tifi$ positively z a clu/] ( cosmic-ray rese>* balloons40 ,ev5 "o ( ! giant balloons w\ld h be5 h>d to take z ! explanation4 ,combs 0 almo/ sure to h collid$ ) x 9 8 head-on passes4 ,b an entire clu/]6 ,i tri$ to picture ! ,t-#f zoom+ & twi/+ ?r\gh ! night sky1 ) sev]al huge balloons 9 its pa?4 ,x w\ld be a miracle if ,combs got ?r\gh )\t hitt+ "o ( !m1 ev5 if ea* balloon 0 light$4 ,b he _h se5 only "o light2 s _h ,lieut5ant ,jackson4 ,t w\ld mean all ! re/ ( ! balloons 7 unlight$--an unbelievable co9cid5ce4 ,x 0 n until mon?s aft]w>d t ,i f\nd ,project 8,sauc]0 _h )drawn ?is 8solution40 ,9 its f9al report1 ?is case1 ,numb] #bjg1 0 li/$ 9 ! 8,unid5tifi$0 gr\p4 ,h[ ! balloon-clu/] explanation ev] got into ! fir/ report is /ill a my/]y4 ,:5 ,i talk$ ) ,gorman1 ,i told him ,i 0 baffl$ by ! idea ( a light maneuv]+ ?r\gh ! skies ) no airfoil to support x4 8,i "k10 he said4 8,x got me1 too1 at fir/40 8,y mean y "k ! answ]80 ,i dem&$4 8,x's j my p]sonal op9ion10 said ,gorman4 8,b ,i'd r n h x pr9t$4 ,y see1 ,i got "s ideas f all ! que/ions ^? ,project teams ask$ me4 ,if my hun* turns out to be "r1 ,i might be talk+ ab\t an (ficial secret40 ,i tri$ to pry "s h9t out ( him1 b ,gorman j smil$ & %ook 8 head4 8,i c tell y ?is mu*10 he said1 8because x's be5 m5tion$ 9 pr9t4 ,!re 0 ?\ght beh9d e move ! light made4 ,x wasn't any rad>-respond] gadget mak+ x ve] away f my %ip40 8,h[ d y "k t80 8,because x react$ diff]5tly at diff]5t times4 ,if x _h be5 a me*anical control1 x w\ld h turn$ or climb$ ! same way ea* "t ,i got ne> x4 ,in/ead1 x 0 z if "s intellig5t m9d 0 direct+ e turn l a game ( *ess1 & always "o move ahead ( me4 ,maybe y c figure out ! re/40 ,t 0 all ,i c\ld get out ( him4 ,x bo!r$ me1 because ,combs's report indicat$ ! same ?+4 ,i _h a /rong temptation to skip ! space-plans rese>* & tell ,r$ell :at ,gorman _h told me4 ,b ,r$ell _h an ord]ly m9d1 & he didn't l to be pu%$4 ,reluctantly1 ,i gave up ! idea4 ,i _h a feel+ ,r$ell knew ! answ] to ! my/]y lights1 & x wasn't easy to put (f ! solution4 ,! lett] t came f ,art ,gre51 :ile ,i 0 work+ on ! space plans1 didn't make x easi]3 ,de> ,keyhoe3 ,j he>d ab\t y\r ,seattle visit4 ,t ,fairfield ,suisan ?+ is on ! level2 sev]al ,air ,=ce pilots h told me ab\t x4 ,:5 y get to ,f>go1 ask ,gorman :at !y f\nd :5 !y *eck$ 8 %ip ) a ,geig] c\nt]4 ,if he says x 0 negative1 !n he mu/ be "u ord]s4 ,i happ5 to "k bett]4 ,y\rs1 ,,art ,,gre5 ,,*apt] ,,xi ,my fir/ /ep1 9 *eck+ on our space plans1 0 to look up (ficial ann\ncem5ts4 ,i f\nd t on ,decemb] #bi1 #aidh1 ,def5se ,secret>y ,james ,=re/al _h releas$ ?is (ficial /atem5t3 8,! ,e>? ,satellite ,vehicle ,program1 :i* is be+ c>ri$ out indep5d5tly by ea* milit>y s]vice1 has be5 assign$ to ! ,committee on ,guid$ ,missiles = co-ord9ation4 8,to provide an integrat$ program1 ! ,committee has recomm5d$ t curr5t ef=ts be limit$ to /udies & compon5t design4 ,well-def9$ areas ( su* rese>* h be5 allocat$ to ea* ( ! ?ree milit>y dep>tm5ts40 ,appropriation bills _h already provid$ funds = space exploration plans4 ,! ,air ,=ce rese>* 0 indicat$ by ,g5]al ,curtis ,e4 ,le,may1 :o 0 !n ,deputy ,*ief ( ,air ,/aff = ,rese>* & ,developm5t4 ,9 outl9+ plans = an ,air ,eng9e]+ ,design ,c5t] at ,wright ,field1 ,g5]al ,le,may includ$ ^! space-exploration requisites3 8,flight & survival equipm5t = ultra-atmosph]ic op]ations1 includ+ space vehicles1 space bases1 & devices = use !re940 ,! idea ( explor+ space is1 ( c\rse1 no?+ new4 ,= _m ye>s1 writ]s ( imag9ative fiction h describ$ trips to ! moon & di/ant planets4 ,m rec5tly1 comic books & /rips h gone 9 heavily = space-travel adv5tures4 ,z a natural result ( ?is1 ! fir/ s]i\s rocket exp]im5ts 9 ?is c\ntry 7 label$ screwball /unts1 ab\t on a p> ) ef=ts to break ?r\gh ! sonic b>ri]4 ,! latt] _h be5 8prov$0 impossible by a]onautical eng9e]s2 z = rocket flight1 x 0 too silly = s]i\s consid]ation4 ,p5dray1 ,godd>d1 & o!r rocket pione]s took "s vici\s ridicule be=e ,am]ica woke up to ! possibilities4 ,meantime1 ,g]man sci5ti/s _h gone f> ahead4 ,_! buzz bomb1 a l[-altitude semi-guid$ missile1 0 j ! beg9n+4 ,ev5 ! deva/at+ ,v-#b1 :i* so>$ high into ! /ratosph]e be=e fall+ on ,engl&1 0 j a /ep 9 _! trem5d\s space program4 ,if ! ,nazis c\ld h hung on a ye> or two m1 ! w> might h _h a grimly diff]5t end+4 ,:5 ! ,allies seiz$ ,nazi secrets1 "s ( ! ,g]man plans 7 reveal$4 ,among !m 0 "o = a huge e>? satellite4 ,f ?is base1 :i* w\ld circle ! e>? "s five hundr$ miles away1 enorm\s mirrors w\ld focus ! sun's rays on any desir$ spot4 ,! result3 swift1 fi]y de/ruction ( any city or base refus+ to surr5d]4 ,fir/ publication ( ?is s*eme br\ght ! usual je]s4 ,_m p1 includ+ "s reputable sci5ti/s1 believ$ x _h be5 j a propag&a plan t ev5 ,goebbels _h disc>d$ z hopeless4 ,!n ! ,p5tagon ann\nc$ ! ,u4,s4 ,e>? ,satellite ,vehicle ,program1 along ) plans = a moon rocket1 ,! artificial satellite is to be a l>ge rocket-propell$ projectile4 ,9 its upw>d flight1 x w h to rea* a spe$ ( #bc1jjj miles an h\r1 to escape ! e>?'s pull ( gravity4 ,at a height ( ab\t #ejj miles1 special controls w turn ! projectile & cause x to circle ! e>?4 ,^! controls w be ei!r automatic or op]at$ f ! gr\nd1 by rad>4 ,!oretically1 once su* a vehicle is beyond gravity's magnetism1 x c coa/ along 9 ! sky =ev]4 ,its rocket p[] w be %ut (f2 ! only ne$ = su* p[] w\ld be if ! satellite ve]$ (f c\rse4 ,a mom5t>y bur/ f ! jets w\ld be suffici5t to br+ x back to its orbit4 ,circl+ ! e>? 9 ab\t two h\rs1 ?is fir/ satellite is expect$ to be us$ z a te/+ /ation4 ,in/rum5ts w record & transmit vital in=mation to ! e>?--! effect ( cosmic rays1 sol> radiation1 fuel requir$ = c\rse corrections1 & _m o!r items4 ,a second space base f>!r out w probably be ! next /ep4 ,x may be mann$1 or x may be "u remote control l ! fir/4 ,p]haps ! fir/ satellite vehicle w be foll[$ by a comp>tm5t$ op]at+ base1 a sort ( a]ial aircraft c>ri]1 ) o!r rocket %ips op]at+ to & fro on ! e>? %uttle4 ,! moon rocket is expect$ to add to our in=mation ab\t space1 s t f9ally we w em]ge ) an int]planet>y space craft4 ,! fir/ attempts may fail4 ,! fir/ satellite may fall back & h to be guid$ to an ocean l&+4 ,or its controls might n br+ x into ! plann$ orbit4 ,9 ?is case1 x c\ld coa/ on out into space & be lo/4 ,b soon] or lat]1 effective controls w be f\nd4 ,!n ! mann$ space %ips w foll[4 ,once 9 free space1 !re w be no gravitational pull to (fset4 ,! space %ip & ev]y?+ 9 x w be weightless4 ,%ield+ is expect$ to prev5t dang] f cosmic rays & sol> radiation4 ,! dang] f meteorites has be5 p>tly disc\nt$ 9 "o sci5tific /udy4 78,probability t a meteorite w hit or p5etrate a body situat$ 9 ! vic9ity ( ! e>?10 by ,g4 ,grimm+]1 ,j\rnal ( ,appli$ ,physics1 ,vol4 #ai1 ,no4 #aj1 pp4 #idg-ief1 ,octob] #aidh7 ,9 ?is /udy1 x is /at$ t a meteorite is unlikely to p5etrate ! ?ick %ell our space vehicles w und\bt$ly h4 ,h[ev]1 ?is applies only to ! e>?'s atmosph]e4 ,long] /udies1 us+ remote-controll$ vehicles 9 space1 may take ye>s be=e x w be safe to laun* a mann$ space %ip4 ,rad> or o!r devices may h to be develop$ to detect approa*+ meteorites at a di/ance & automatically *ange a space %ip's c\rse4 ,! *ange requir$ w\ld be inf9itesimal1 us+ p[] = only a fraction ( a second4 ,b be=e we are ready = int]planet>y travel1 we w h to h>ness atomic p[] or "s o!r =ce n n[ available1 su* z cosmic rays4 ,navigation at su* trem5d\s spe$s is ano!r great problem1 on :i* special gr\ps are n[ at "w4 ,a ,navy sci5tific project rec5tly f\nd t /range radio signals are con/antly be+ s5t out f a 8hot spot0 9 ! ,milky ,way2 o!r nebulae or 8hot0 />s may be simil>ly id5tifi$ by "s peculi>ity 9 _! radio emanations4 ,if s1 ^! c\ld be us$ z *eck po9ts 9 long-range space travel4 ,escape f ! e>?'s gravity is possible ev5 n[1 accord+ to ,francis ,h4 ,claus]1 an au?ority on space travel plans4 ,b ! co/ w\ld be prohibitive1 ) our pres5t rocket motors1 & practical op]ations mu/ wait = high] velocity rocket p[]1 atomic or o!rwise4 78,flight beyond ! ,e>?'s ,atmosph]e1 8,s4,a4,e4 ,qu>t]ly ,transactions1 ,vol4 #b1 ,no1 #d1 ,octob] #aidh47 ,already1 a two-/age rocket has gone m ?an #bej miles above ! e>?4 ,?is is ! ,v-#b-,wac ,corporal comb9ation4 ,! ,v-#b rocket is us$ to p[] ! fir/ "p ( ! flight1 dropp+ (f :5 its fuel is exhau/$4 ,! ,wac ,corporal !n proce$s on its own fuel1 rea*+ a fanta/ic spe$ 9 ! ?9 air high] up4 ,hundr$s ( te*nical problems mu/ be lick$ be=e ! fir/ satellite vehicle c be laun*$ successfully4 ,records on our ,v-#b rockets indicate "s ( ! ob/acles4 ,on ! take-(f1 _! pres5t swift accel]ation w\ld und\bt$ly kill anyone inside4 ,:5 re-ent]+ ! e>?'s atmosph]e ! nose ( a ,v-#b gets r$-hot4 ,bo? ! accel]ation & decel]ation mu/ be controll$ be=e ! fir/ volunte]s w be all[$ to haz>d _! lives 9 mann$ rockets4 ,willi ,ley1 not$ au?ority on space-travel problems1 believes t pilots may h to accept tempor>y black\t z a necessity on ! take-(f4 7,two ( 8 books1 ,rockets & ,space ,travel & ,out] ,space1 give fasc9at+ & well-?\ght-out pictures ( :at we may expect 9 ye>s to come47 ,"s au?orities believe t our space travel w be conf9$ to our own sol> sy/em = a long "t1 p]haps =ev]4 ,! trip to ! moon1 ?\gh n[ a trem5d\s project1 w\ld be relatively simple comp>$ ) a j\rney outside our sy/em4 ,escape f ! moon1 = ! return trip1 w\ld be easi] ?an leav+ ! e>?2 because ( its small] mass1 to escape ! moon's gravitational pull w\ld take a spe$ ( ab\t #e1jjj miles an h\r1 aga9/ #bc1jjj = ! e>?4 ,navigation w\ld be mu* simpl]4 ,our globe w\ld loom up 9 ! heav5s1 mu* l>g] & bright] ?an ! moon appe>s to u4 ,rad> beams w\ld also be a guide4 ,! greate/ ob/acle to rea*+ f>-di/ant planet is ! "t requir$4 ,9 ! ,project 8,sauc]0 /udy ( space travel1 ,wolf #cei 0 nam$ z ! ne>e/ /> likely to h possibly inhabit$ areas4 ,wolf #cei is eight light-ye>s f ! e>?4 ,! limit+ spe$ 9 space1 accord+ to ,e9/e9's law1 w\ld be j "u ! spe$ ( light--#ahf1jjj miles p] second4 ,at ?is spe$1 ,e9/e9 /ates1 matt] is conv]t$ into en]gy4 ,x is a ridicul\s assumption1 b ev5 if atomic p[]1 or "s =ce su* z cosmic rays1 made an approa* to t spe$ possible1 x w\ld /ill take eight ye>s to rea* ,wolf #cei4 ,! r\nd trip w\ld take sixte54 ,!re h be5 a few sci5ti/s :o dispute ,e9/e9's law1 ?\gh no "o has disprov$ x4 ,if ! spe$ ( light is n an absolute limit = space %ips1 !n travel to remote p>ts ( ! univ]se may som$ay be possible4 ,o!rwise1 a trip outside our sol> sy/em c\ld be a lifetime exp$ition4 ,mo/ space travel w\ld probably be limit$ to ! planets ( our sun--! moon1 ,m>s1 ,v5us1 ,jupit]1 & ! o!rs4 ,al?\gh x may be _m ye>s be=e ! fir/ mann$ space %ip leaves ! e>?1 we are already at "w on ! problems ! crews w\ld face4 ,i le>n$ "s ( ! details f a ,navy flight surgeon ) :om ,i _h talk$ ab\t take-(f problems4 8,!y're a lot fur!r ?an t0 he told me4 8,d[n at ,r&olph ,field1 ! ,a]o-,m$ical rese>* lab has run into "s mighty que] ?+s4 ,ev] he> ( #8dead di/ance'80 8,no1 t's a new "o40 8,well1 x s\nds crazy1 b !y've figur$ out t a space %ip w\ld be go+ fa/] ?an anyone c\ld ?9k40 8,b y ?9k in/antane\sly10 ,i object$4 8,oh1 no4 ,x takes a fraction ( a second1 ev5 = ! fa/e/ ?9k]4 ,let's say ! %ip 0 mak+ a hundr$ miles a second--& t's sl[ comp>$ ) :at !y expect ev5tually4 ,ev]y?+ w\ld happ5 fa/] ?an y\r n]ve impulses c\ld regi/] x4 ,y\r compreh5sion w\ld always be lagg+ a split second beh9d ! space %ip's op]ation40 8,i don't see :y t's s s]i\s10 ,i said4 8,suppose rad> or "s o!r device w>n$ y a meteorite 0 com+ t[>d y head-on4 ,or maybe "s in/rum5t indicat$ an error 9 navigation4 ,by ! "t y\r m9d regi/]$ ! ?\ght1 ! situation w\ld h *ang$40 8,!n all ! controls w\ld h to be automatic10 ,i said4 ,i told him t ,i _h he>d ab\t plans = avoid+ meteorites4 8,electronic controls w\ld be fa/] ?an ?\ght40 8,t's probably ! answ]10 he agre$4 8,( c\rse1 at a hundr$ miles a second x might n be too s]i\s4 ,b if !y ev] get up to spe$s l a ?\s& miles a second1 t m5tal lag c\ld make an enorm\s diff]5ce1 :e!r x 0 a meteorite head+ t[>d y or a matt] ( navigation40 ,"o ( ! problems he m5tion$ 0 ! lack ( gravity4 ,i _h already le>n$ ab\t ?is4 ,once away f ! e>?'s pull1 objects 9 ! space %ip w\ld h no weight4 ,! slighte/ pu% c\ld s5d crewm5 float+ ar\nd ! seal$ comp>tm5t4 8,suppose y spill$ a cup ( c(fee10 said ! flight surgeon4 8,:at w\ld happ580 ,i said ,i hadn't ?\ght x out4 8,! ,r&olph ,field lab c tell y10 he said4 8,! c(fee w\ld /ay "r !re 9 ! air4 ,s w\ld ! cup1 if y let g ( x4 ,b !re's a m s]i\s angle--y\r brea?40 8,y'd h artificial air10 ,i began4 8,yes1 !y've already work$ t out4 ,b :at ab\t ! brea? y exhale8 ,x conta9s c>bon dioxide1 & if y let x /ay "r !re 9 front ( y\r face y'd be suck+ x back into y\r lungs4 ,aft] a :ile1 x w\ld asphyxiate y4 ,s ! air has to be kept 9 motion1 & besides t ! v5tilat+ sy/em has to remove ! c>bon dioxide40 8,:at ab\t eat+80 ,i ask$4 8,swall[+ is p>tly gravity1 isn't x80 ,he nodd$4 8,same z dr9k+1 ?\gh ! ?roat muscles help =ce ! food d[n4 ,i don't "k ! answ] to t4 ,9 fact1 ev]y?+ ab\t ! human body pres5ts a problem4 ,take ! blood circulation4 ,! am\nt ( en]gy requir$ to pump blood ?r\gh ! ve9s w\ld be almo/ negligible4 ,:at w\ld t d to y\r he>t80 8,i c\ldn't ev5 guess10 ,i said4 8,well1 t's all ! ,a]o-,m$ical lab c d--guess at x4 ,!y've be5 try+ to "w out "s way ( duplicat+ ! effect ( z]o gravity1 b !re's j no answ]4 ,if y c\ld build a ma*9e to neutralize gravity1 y c\ld get all ! answ]s1 except to ! #8dead di/ance' "q4 8,= in/ance1 !re's ! matt] ( :e!r ! human body w\ld ev5 function )\t gravity4 ,all d[n ?r\gh ! /ages ( evolution1 man's organs h be5 us$ to t d[nw>d pull4 ,take away gravity1 & y\r :ole body might /op work+4 ,"s ( ! ,a]o-,m$ical m5 ,i've talk$ ) don't believe t1 b !y admit t long trips outside ( gravity might h odd effects4 8,!n !re's ! "q ( ori5tation4 ,"h on e>?1 ori5t+ y\rself dep5ds on ! feel+ y get f ! pull ( gravity1 plus y\r vision4 j be+ bl9dfold$ is en\gh to disori5t "s p4 ,tak+ away ! pull ( gravity might be a lot worse4 ,& ( c\rse out 9 space y\r only ref]5ce po9ts w\ld be di/ant />s & planets4 ,we've be5 us$ to locat+ />s f po9ts on ! e>?1 :]e we "k _! position4 ,b h[ ab\t locat+ !m f out 9 space1 ) a %ip mov+ at great spe$8 ,inside ! space %ip1 x w\ld be some?+ l be+ 9 a subm>9e4 ,probably only ! pilot comp>tm5t w\ld h glass ports1 & ^? w\ld be cov]$ except 9 l&+--maybe ev5 !n4 ,outside vision might be by television1 s y c\ldn't break a glass port & let out y\r pressure4 8,b to g back to ! subm>9e idea4 ,x w\ld be l a sub1 ) ?is big diff]5ce3 ,9 ! subm>9e y c g5]ally tell :i* way is d[n1 except maybe 9 a cra% dive :5 y may lose y\r equilibrium = a mom5t4 ,b 9 ! space %ip1 y c\ld be /&+ ) y\r feet on "o spot1 & ano!r crewman might be--relative to y--/&+ upside d[n4 ,y might be float+ horizontally1 ! o!r man v]tically4 ,! m y ?9k ab\t x1 ! crazi] x gets4 ,b !y've got to solve all ^? problems be=e we c tackle space40 ,to make sure ,i _h ! details "r1 ,i *eck$ on ! ,air ,=ce rese>*4 ,i f\nd t ! ,r&olph ,field laboratory is work+ on all ^! problems1 & _m m4 ,al?\gh plans arc n f> en\gh advanc$ to make x c]ta91 probably animals w be s5t up 9 rese>* rockets to det]m9e ! effect ( no gravity be=e any human be+s make su* flights4 ,! results c\ld be televis$ back to ! e>?4 ,all ?r\gh my *eck-up on space exploration plans1 "o ?+ /ruck me3 ,i met no resi/ance4 ,!re 0 no (ficial retic5ce ab\t ! program2 on ! contr>y1 no?+ ab\t x seem$ secret4 ,ev5 ?\gh x 0 peacetime1 ?is 0 a little curi\s1 because ( ! pot5tial w> value ( an e>? satellite vehicle4 ,ev5 if ! ,nazi s*eme = de/ruction prov$ j a dream1 an orbit+ space base c\ld be us$ = o!r purposes4 ,9 its two-h\r sw+ ar\nd ! e>?1 practically all ( ! globe c\ld be obs]v$-directly1 by p[]ful telescopes1 or indirectly1 by a comb9ation ( rad> & television4 ,long-range missiles c\ld be guid$ to t>gets1 aft] be+ laun*$ f "s po9t on ! e>?4 ,z ! missiles climb$ high into ! /ratosph]e1 ! satellite's rad> c\ld pick !m up & keep !m on c\rse by remote control4 ,!re 7 o!r possibilities = bo? attack & def5se4 ,ord9>ily1 projects ) w>time value are kept "u wraps1 or at lea/ n widely publiciz$4 ,( c\rse1 ! explanation might be v simple3 ,! completion ( ! satellite vehicle 0 s remote t !re seem$ no ne$ = secrecy4 ,b 9 t case1 :y _h ! program be5 ann\nc$ at all8 ,if ! purpose _h be5 propag&a1 x look$ l a weak ge/ure4 ,! ,soviets w\ld n be greatly worri$ by a dream weapon =ty or fifty ye>s (f4 ,besides t1 ! ,p5tagon1 z a rule1 doesn't g = su* propag&a4 ,!re 0 only "o conv5tional answ] t made any s5se4 ,if we _h he>d t ! ,soviets 7 ab\t to ann\nce su* a program1 z a propag&a trick1 x w\ld be sm>t to beat !m to x4 ,b ,i _h no pro( (1 any su* ,russian int5tion4 ,! date on ,secret>y ,=re/al's co-ord9ation ann\ncem5t 0 ,decemb] #cj1 #aidh4 ,"o day lat]1 ! ord] creat+ ,project 8,sauc]0 _h be5 sign$4 ,t didn't prove any?+2 w9d+ up ! ye>1 ,=re/al c\ld h sign$ a hundr$ ord]s4 ,i 0 gett+ too suspici\s4 ,at any rate1 ,i _h n[ analyz$ ! ,gorman case & *eck$ on our space plans4 ,tomorr[ ,i w\ld see ,r$ell & f9d out :at he knew4 ,,*apt] ,,xii ,:5 ,i call$ ,r$ell's (fice ,i f\nd he _h fl[n to ,dallas & w\ld n be back = two days4 ,by ! "t he return$1 ,i _h writt5 a draft ( ! ,gorman case1 ) my answ] to ! balloon explanation4 ,:5 ,i saw him1 ! next morn+1 ,i ask$ him to look x ov]4 ,r$ell light$ 8 pipe & !n read ! draft1 nodd+ to himself n[ & !n4 8,i ?9k t's correct analysis10 he said :5 he f9i%$4 8,t 0 a v curi\s case4 ,y "k1 ,project #8,sauc]' ev5 _h psy*iatri/s out !re4 ,if ,gorman _h be5 ! only witness1 ,i ?9k !y'd h call$ x a halluc9ation4 ,z x 01 !y took a crack at him & ! ,c4,a4,a4 m5 9 _! prelim9>y report40 ,?\gh ,i recall$ t !re _h be5 a comm5t1 ,i didn't rememb] ! word+4 ,r$ell look$ x up & read x al\d3 8#8,f a psy*ological aspect1 ! ,gorman incid5t rais$ ! "q1 8,is x possible = an object )\t appreciable %ape or kn[n a]onautical configuration to appe> to travel at v>iable spe$s & maneuv] intellig5tly80'0 8,halluc9ation might s\nd l a logical answ]10 ,i said1 8until y *eck all ! te/imony4 ,b !re are j too _m witnesses :o confirm ,gorman's report4 ,also1 he seems l a pretty level-head$ *ap40 ,r$ell fill$ 8 pipe aga94 8,b y /ill c't q accept x80 8,i'm positive !y saw ! light--b :at ! devil 0 x8 ,h[ c\ld x fly )\t "s k9d ( airfoil80 8,maybe x didn't4 ,y rememb] ,gorman describ$ an odd fuzz9ess ar\nd ! edge ( ! light8 ,x's 9 ?is ,air ,=ce report4 ,t c\ld h be5 a reflection f ! airfoil40 8,yes1 b ,gorman w\ld h se5 any solid--0 ,i /opp$1 z ,r$ell made a negative ge/ure4 8,x c\ld be solid & /ill n %[ up10 he said4 8,y mean x 0 transp>5t8 ,sure1 t w\ld d x60 8,let's say ! airfoil 0 a rotat+ pla/ic disk1 absolutely transp>5t4 ,! blurr$1 fuzzy look c\ld h be5 caus$ by ! :irl+ disk4 ,nei!r ,gorman nor ! ,c4,a4,a4 m5 9 ! t[] c\ld possibly see ! disk itself40 8,paul1 ,i ?9k y've hit x10 ,i said4 8,i c see ?c re/ ( x--! ?+ 0 "u remote control1 radio or rad>4 ,& f ! way x flew r+s ar\nd ,gorman1 :oev] controll$ x mu/ h be5 able to see ! ,f-#ea1 ei!r ) a television #8eye' or by rad>10 8,or by "s means we don't und]/&10 said ,r$ell4 ,he w5t on c>efully1 8,9 all ^! sauc] cases1 keep ?is 9 m9d3 ,we may be deal+ ) "s totally unkn[n pr9ciple--some?+ completely beyond our compreh5sion40 ,= a mom5t1 ,i ?\ght he 0 hunt+ at "s radical discov]y by ,soviet--captur$ ,nazi sci5ti/s4 ,!n ,i realiz$ :at he meant4 8,y ?9k !y're int]planet>y10 ,i murmur$4 8,:y n80 ,r$ell look$ surpris$4 8,isn't t y\r idea8 ,i got t impression40 8,yes1 b ,i didn't ?9k y believ$ x4 ,:5 y said to *eck on our space plans1 ,i ?\ght y _h "s secret missile 9 m9d40 8,no1 ,i _h ano!r reason4 ,i want$ y to see all ! problems involv$ 9 space travel4 ,if y accept ! int]planet>y answ]1 y h to accept ?is1 too--:oev] is look+ u ov] has lick$ all ^? problems ye>s ago4 ,te*nically1 !y'd be hundr$s ( ye>s ahead ( u--maybe ?\s&s4 ,x has a lot to d ) :at !y'd be up to "h40 ,:5 ,i m5tion$ ! old sight+ reports1 ,i f\nd t ,r$ell already knew ab\t !m4 ,he 0 conv9c$ t ! e>? _h be5 "u obs]vation a long "t1 probably ev5 be=e ! fir/ record$ sight+s4 8,i "k "s ( ^? reports ar5't au!ntic10 he admitt$4 8,b if y accept ev5 "o report ( a fly+ disk or rocket-%ap$ object be=e ! tw5tie? c5tury1 !n y h to accept ! basic idea4 ,9 ! la/ =ty ye>s1 y might blame ! reports on planes & dirigibles4 ,b !re 0 no propell$ aircraft until #aijc4 ,ei!r all ^? e>ly sight+s 7 wrong1 or "s k9d ( fa/ a]ial ma*9e has be5 fly+ p]iodically ov] ! e>? = at lea/ two c5turies4 ,i told him ,i 0 pretty well conv9c$1 b t ,true fac$ a problem4 ,!re 0 "s conflict+ evid5ce1 & "p ( x seem$ l9k$ ) guid$ missiles4 ,i felt sure we c\ld prove ! space-travel answ]1 b we _h to /ay cle> ( discuss+ any weapons t 7 /ill a secret4 8,i c't believe t guid$ missiles are ! answ] to ! ,godman ,field sauc] & ! ,*iles-,:itt$ case1 or ?is bus9ess at ,f>go4 ,b we're got to be absolutely sure be=e we pr9t any?+40 8,well1 let's analyze x10 said ,r$ell4 8,let's see if all ! sauc]s c\ld be expla9$ z some?+ laun*$ f ! e>?40 ,he rea*$ = a pad & a p5cil4 8,fir/1 let's take y\r rotat+ disk4 ,t w\ld be a lot simpl] to build ?an ! /ation>y disk ) v>iable jet nozzles4 ,) a disk rotat$ at high spe$ y get a trem5d\s lift1 :e!r x's slott$ or camb]$1 z long z !re's en\gh air to "w on40 8,! helicopt] pr9ciple10 ,i said4 ,r$ell nodd$4 8,! mo/ practical propulsion w\ld be ) two or m jets out on ! rim1 to sp9 y\r rotat+ section4 ,b to get up en\gh spe$ = ! jets to be effici5t1 y'd h to :irl ! disk me*anically be=e ! take-(f4 ,"h's "o way4 ,y c\ld h a squ>e hole 9 ! c5t]2 !n ! disk laun*+ device w\ld h a squ>e %aft1 rotat$ by an eng9e or a motor4 ,z ! spe$ built up1 ! camb]$ disk w\ld ride up ! %aft & free itself1 ris+ v]tically1 ) ! jets tak+ ov] ! job ( :irl+ ! camb]$ section4 8,! lift w\ld be t]rific1 f> m ?an any normal aircraft4 ,i don't believe any human be+ c\ld take ! ,g's involv$ 9 a maximum p[] climb2 !y'd h to use remote control4 ,:5 x got to ! desir$ altitude1 y\r disk c\ld be fl[n 9 any direction by tilt+ x t way4 ,! =w>d compon5t f t trem5d\s lift w\ld result 9 a v high spe$4 ,! disk c\ld also hov]1 & desc5d v]tically40 8,:at ab\t maneuv]+80 ,i ask$1 ?9k+ ( ,gorman's exp]i5ce4 8,x c\ld turn fa/] ?an any pilot c\ld /&10 said ,r$ell4 8,( c\rse1 a pilot's cockpit c\ld be built into a l>ge disk2 b !re'd h to be "s way ( hold+ d[n ! spe$1 to avoid too _m ,g's 9 tight maneuv]s40 8,mo/ ( ! disks don't make any noise10 ,i said4 8,at lea/1 t's ! g5]al report4 ,y'd he> ord9>y jets = miles40 8,"r1 & "h's ano!r angle4 ,ram jets take a lot ( fuel4 ,ev5 ) "s highly effici5t new jet1 ,i c't see ! long ranges report$4 ,"s ( ^! sauc]s h be5 se5 all ov] ! _w4 ,no matt] :i* hemisph]e !y 7 laun*$ f1 !y'd ne$ an eight-?\s&-mile range1 at lea/1 to expla9 all ( ! sight+s4 ,! only app>5t answ] w\ld be "s new k9d ( p[]1 probably atomic4 ,we c]ta9ly didn't h atomic eng9es = aircraft 9 #aidg1 :5 ! fir/ disks 7 se5 "h4 ,& we don't h !m n[1 ?\gh we're work+ on x4 ,ev5 if we _h su* an eng9e1 x w\ldn't be t9y en\gh to p[] ! small disks40 8,anyway10 ,i said1 8we'd h>dly be fly+ !m all ov] ev]y:]e4 ,! co/ w\ld be enorm\s1 & !re'd always be a dang] ( somebody gett+ ! secret if a disk l&$40 8,plus ! risk ( injur+ p by radiation4 j imag9e an atomic-p[]$ disk dropp+ into a city4 ,! :ole idea's ridicul\s40 8,t seems to rule out ! guid$-missile answ]10 ,i began4 ,b ,r$ell %ook 8 head4 8,disk-%ap$ missiles are q feasible4 ,i'm talk+ ab\t range1 spe$1 & p]=mance4 ,imag9e = a mom5t t we h disk-type missiles us+ ! late/ jet or rocket propulsion--ei!r pilot$ or remote-controll$4 ,! "q is1 c\ld su* disks fit specific sight+s l ! "o at ,godman ,field & ! case at ,f>go80 ,r$ell paus$ z if "s new ?\ght _h /ruck him4 8,wait a m9ute1 "h's an ev5 bett] te/4 ,i happ5 to "k ab\t ?is case p]sonally4 ,m>v9 ,miles--he's an aviation writ] 9 ,los ,angeles--0 d[n at ,:ite ,s&s ,prov+ ,gr\nd "s "t ago4 ,he talk$ ) a ,navy rocket exp]t :o 0 9 *>ge ( naval guid$-missile projects4 ,?is ,navy man--he's a comm&] 9 ! regul> s]vice--told ,miles !y'd se5 f\r sauc]s d[n 9 t area40 8,y're sure he wasn't kidd+ ,miles80 ,i said4 ,!n ,i rememb]$ ,purdy's tip ab\t a ,:ite ,s&s case4 8,i told y ,i *eck$ on ?is myself10 ,r$ell said1 a little annoy$4 8,aft] ,miles told me ab\t x1 ,i ask$ an eng9e] :o'd be5 d[n !re if x 0 true4 ,he gave me ! same /ory1 figures & all4 ,! fir/ sauc] 0 track$ by ,:ite ,s&s obs]v]s ) a !odolite4 ,!n !y work$ out its p]=mance ) balli/ics =mulas40 ,r$ell look$ at me grimly4 8,! ?+ 0 ab\t fifty miles up4 ,& x 0 mak+ ov] fifte5 ?\s& miles an h\r60 ,"o ( ! witnesses1 said ,r$ell1 0 a well-kn[n sci5ti/ f ! ,g5]al ,mills a]onautical rese>* laboratory 9 ,m9neapolis1 :i* 0 work+ ) ! ,navy4 7,a few days lat]1 ,i v]ifi$ ?is fact & ! basic details ( ,r$ell's acc\nt4 ,b x 0 n until e>ly 9 ,janu>y #aiej t ,i f9ally id5tifi$ ! (fic] z ,comm&] ,rob]t ,b4 ,mc,laughlin & got 8 dramatic /ory47 8,"h are two m items ,miles told me10 ,r$ell w5t on4 8,?is ,navy exp]t said ! sauc] actually look$ elliptical1 or egg-%ap$4 ,& :ile x 0 be+ track$ x sudd5ly made a /eep climb--s /eep no human be+ c\ld h liv$ ?r\gh x40 8,"o ?+ is c]ta910 ,i said4 8,t fifty-mile altitude knocks out ! rotat+ disk4 ,up 9 t ?9 air x w\ldn't h any lift40 8,"r10 said ,r$ell4 8,& ! v>iable jet type w\ld require an enorm\s am\nt ( fuel4 ,reg>dless1 ^? ,g's mean x c\ldn't h _h any pilot born on ?is e>?40 ,accord+ to ,m>v9 ,miles1 ?is ,:ite ,s&s sauc] _h be5 ov] a hundr$ feet long4 7,lat]1 ,comm&] ,mc,laughlin /at$ t x 0 #aje feet47 ,if ?is 7 an ,am]ican device1 !n x meant t we _h already lick$ _m ( ! problems on :i* ! ,e>? ,satellite ,vehicle design]s 7 suppos$ to be j />t+4 ,_! /atem5ts1 !n1 w\ld h to be false--"p ( an elaborate cov]-up4 8,if we _h su* an advanc$ design10 said ,r$ell1 8& ,i j don't believe x possible--w\ld we gamble on a remote-control sy/em8 ,no su* sy/em is p]fect4 ,suppose x w5t wrong4 ,at t spe$1 ov] fifte5 ?\s& miles an h\r1 y\r preci\s missile or /rato %ip c\ld be halfway ar\nd ! globe 9 ab\t =ty-five m9utes4 ,t is1 if ! fuel held out4 ,be=e y c\ld rega9 control1 y might lose x 9 ! sea4 ,or x might come d[n beh9d ! ,iron ,curta94 ,ev5 if x 7 ,i sma%$ to bits1 x w\ld tip (f ! ,soviets4 ,!y might claim x 0 a guid$-missile attack4 ,almo/ any?+ c\ld hap p540 8,x c\ld h a "t bomb 9 x10 ,i sugge/$4 8if x got (f c\rse or out ( control1 x w\ld bl[ itself up40 ,r$ell emphatically %ook 8 head4 8,i've he>d t idea be=e1 b x won't hold up4 ,:at if y\r %ip's controls w5t haywire & ! ?+ blew up ov] a cr[d$ city8 ,imag9e ! panic1 ev5 if no actual damage 0 done4 ,no1 sir--nobody 9 8 "r m9d is go+ to let a huge %ip l t g b>g+ ar\nd unpilot$4 ,x w\ld be crim9al neglig5ce4 8,if ! ,:ite ,s&s calculations 7 correct1 !n ?is p>ticul> sauc] 0 no e>?-made device4 ,p]haps 9 com+ ye>s1 we c\ld produce su* a %ip1 ) atomic p[] to drive x4 ,b n n[40 ,r$ell w5t ov] sev]al o!r cases4 8,take ! ,godman ,field sauc]4 ,at "o "t1 x 0 se5 at places "o hundr$ & sev5ty-five miles ap>t1 z y "k4 ,ev5 to h be5 se5 at all f bo? places1 x w\ld4 h to h be5 huge--mu* l>g] ?an two hundr$ & fifty feet 9 diamet]4 ,! human eye w\ldn't resolve an object t size1 at su* a di/ance & height40 ,x 0 an odd ?+2 ,i _h1 gone ov] ! ,mantell case a doz5 times4 ,i knew ! object 0 huge4 ,b ,i _h nev] tri$ to figure out ! object's exact size4 8,h[ big d y ?9k x 080 ,i ask$ quickly4 ,?is c\ld be ! key ,i _h tri$ to f9d4 8,i hav5't work$ x out10 said ,r$ell4 8,b ,i c give y a r\gh idea4 ,! human eye c't resolve any object t subt5ds less ?an ?ree m9utes ( arc4 ,= in/ance1 a plane ) a hundr$-foot w+ span w\ld only be a speck tw5ty miles away1 if y saw x at all40 8,b ?is ?+ 0 se5 cle>ly eighty-sev5 miles away--or ev5 m1 if x wasn't midway betwe5 ! two cities4 ,:y1 x w\ld h to be a ?\s& feet 9 diamet]40 8,ev5 l>g]40 ,r$ell 0 sil5t a mom5t4 8,:at 0 ! ^w ,mantell us$--#8trem5d\s'80 ,i tri$ to visualize ! ?+1 b my m9d balk$4 ,"o ?+ 0 c]ta9 n[4 ,x 0 utt]ly impossible t any nation on e>? c\ld h built su* an enorm\s airborne ma*9e4 j to ?9k ( ! =ce requir$ to hold x 9 ! sky 0 en\gh to /agg] any eng9e]4 ,we 7 ye>s away--p]haps c5turies--f any su* possibility4 ,z if he _h read my ?\ghts1 ,r$ell said sob]ly1 8,!re's no o!r possible answ]4 ,x 0 a huge space %ip--p]haps ! l>ge/ ev] to come into our atmosph]e40 ,x 0 cle> n[ :y su* desp]ate ef=ts _h be5 made to expla9 away ! object ,mantell _h *as$4 8,:at ab\t t ,ea/]n ,airl9es sight+80 ,i ask$4 8,well1 fir/10 said ,r$ell1 8x wasn't any remote-control guid$ missile4 ,i'll say x aga92 x w\ld be %e] insanity4 ,suppose t ?+ _h cra%$ 9 ,macon4 ,at t spe$ x c\ld h pl[$ its way = blocks1 "r ?r\gh ! build+s4 ,x c\ld h kill$ hundr$s ( p1 burn$ ! he>t out ( ! city4 8,if x 0 a missile1 or "s hu%-hu% exp]im5tal job1 !n x 0 pilot$4 ,b !y don't te/ a job l t on any comm]cial airways4 ,& !y don't fool ar\nd at five ?\s& feet :]e p w see ! ?+ /reak+ by & call ! newspap]s4 8,to p[] a hundr$-foot w+less %ip1 especially at ^? spe$s1 w\ld take enorm\s =ce4 ,n z mu* z a ,v-two rocket1 b trem5d\s p[]4 ,! fuel load w\ld be t]rific4 ,c]ta9ly1 ! pilot w\ldn't be circl+ ar\nd ,georgia & ,alabama = an h\r1 buzz+ airl9]s4 ,i'll /ake ev]y?+ t we c\ldn't duplicate t space %ip's p]=mance = less ?an fifty million doll>s4 ,x w\ld take some?+ br&-new 9 jets40 ,r$ell paus$4 ,he look$ at me grimly4 8,& ! way ,i'd h to s\p x up1 x w\ld be a damn$ dang]\s %ip to fly4 ,no pilot w\ld delib]ately fly x t l[4 ,he'd /ay up :]e he'd h a *ance to bail out40 ,i told him :at ,i _h he>d ab\t ! bluepr9ts ! ,air ,=ce 0 said to h ru%$4 8,( c\rse !y 7 worri$10 said ,r$ell4 8,& probably !y /ill are4 ,b ,i don't ?9k !y ne$ be2 s f>1 !re's be5 no?+ m5ac+ ab\t ^! space %ips40 ,:5 ,i got him back to ! ,gorman case1 ,r$ell drew a sket* on 8 pad1 %[+ me 8 idea ( ! disk light4 ,he e/imat$ ! transp>5t rim z n m ?an five feet 9 diamet]4 8,possibly small]10 he said4 8,y recall t ,gorman said ! light 0 betwe5 six & eight in*es 9 diamet]4 ,he also said x seem$ to h dep?--t 0 9 ! ,air ,=ce report40 8,y ?9k all ! me*anism 0 hidd5 by ! light80 8,only possible answ]10 said ,r$ell4 8,b j try to imag9e cr[d+ a motor1 or jet controls = rim jets1 along ) remote controls & a television device1 9 t small space4 ,plus y\r fuel supply4 ,i don't "k any eng9e] :o w\ld ev5 attempt x4 ,to c>ry t mu* ge>1 x w\ld take a fair-siz$ plane4 ,y c\ld make a disk l>ge en\gh1 b ! me*anism & fuel section w\ld be two or ?ree feet across1 at lea/4 ,s ,gorman's light mu/ h be5 p[]$ & controll$ by "s unique means4 ,! same pr9ciple applies to all ! o!r light reports ,i've he>d4 ,no %ape beh9d !m1 high spe$1 & intellig5t maneuv]s4 ,t ?+ 0 guid$ f "s int]planet>y %ip1 hov]+ at a high altitude10 ,r$ell decl>$4 8,b ,i hav5't any idea :at s\rce ( p[] x us$40 ,until !n1 ,i _h =gott5 ab\t ,art ,gre5's lett]4 ,i told ,r$ell :at ,art _h said ab\t ! ,geig] c\nt]4 8,i knew !y w5t ov] ,gorman's fight] ) a ,geig] c\nt]10 ,r$ell comm5t$4 8,b !y said ! reaction 0 negative4 ,if ,gre5 is "r1 x's int]e/+4 ,x w\ld mean !y h built incr$ibly small atomic eng9es4 ,b ) a race s _m ye>s ahead ( u1 x %\ldn't be surpris+4 ,( c\rse1 !y may also be us+ "s o!r k9d ( p[] our sci5ti/s say is impossible40 ,i 0 ab\t to ask him :at he meant :5 8 secret>y came 94 8,mr4 ,c>son is wait+10 %e told ,r$ell4 8,he _h a f\r-o'clock appo9tm5t40 ,z ,i />t$ to leave1 ,r$ell look$ at 8 cal5d>4 8,i hate to break ?is up2 x's a fasc9at+ bus9ess ,:at ab\t com+ 9 ,friday8 ,i'd l to see ! re/ ( ^? case reports40 8,f9e10 ,i said4 8,i've got a few m que/ions1 too40 ,go+ out1 ,i made a m5tal note ( ! ,friday date4 ,!n ! figure click$2 x 0 j ?ree mon?s s9ce ,i'd />t$ on ?is assignm5t4 ,?ree mon?s ago4 ,at t "t ,i'd only be5 half sure t ! sauc]s 7 real4 ,if anyone _h said ,i'd soon believe !y 7 space %ips1 ,i'd h told him he 0 crazy4 ,,*apt] ,,xiii ,be=e my date ) ,r$ell1 ,i w5t ov] all ! mat]ial ,i _h1 hop+ to f9d "s clue to ! space visitors' planet4 ,x 0 possible1 ( c\rse1 t !re 0 m ?an "o planet involv$4 ,project 8,sauc]0 _h discuss$ ! possibilities 9 x6 report ( ,april #bg1 #aidi4 ,i read ov] ?is section aga93 ,s9ce fly+ sauc]s fir/ hit ! headl9es almo/ two ye>s ago1 !re has be5 wide speculation t ! a]ial ph5om5a might actually be "s =m ( p5etration f ano!r planet4 ,actually1 a/ronom]s are l>gely 9 agreem5t t only "o memb] ( ! sol> sy/em beside ,e>? is capable ( support+ life4 ,t is ,m>s4 ,ev5 ,m>s1 h[ev]1 appe>s to be relatively desolate & inhospitable1 s t a ,m>tian race w\ld be m occupi$ ) survival ?an we are on ,e>?4 ,on ,m>s1 !re exi/s an excessively sl[ loss ( atmosph]e1 oxyg5 & wat]1 aga9/ :i* intellig5t be+s1 if !y d exi/ !re1 may h protect$ !mselves by sci5tific control ( physical conditions4 ,?is might h be5 done1 sci5ti/s speculate1 by ! con/ruction ( homes & cities und]gr\nd :]e ! atmosph]ic pressure w\ld be great] & ?us temp]ature extremes r$uc$4 ,! o!r possibilities exi/1 ( c\rse1 t evolution may h develop$ a be+ :o c )/& ! rigors ( ! ,m>tian climate1 or t ! race--if x ev] did exi/--has p]i%$4 ,9 o!r words1 ! exi/5ce ( intellig5t life on ,m>s1 :]e ! r>e atmosph]e is ne>ly devoid ( oxyg5 & wat] & :]e ! nights are mu* cold] ?an our ,arctic w9t]s1 is n impossible b is completely unprov54 ,! possibility ( intellig5t life also exi/+ on ! planet ,v5us is n consid]$ completely unreasonable by a/ronom]s4 ,! atmosph]e ( ,v5us app>5tly consi/s mo/ly ( c>bon dioxide ) deep cl\ds ( =maldehyde droplets1 & !re seems to be little or no wat]4 ,yet1 sci5ti/s conc$e t liv+ organisms might develop 9 *emical environm5ts :i* are /range to u4 ,v5us1 h[ev]1 has two h&icaps4 ,h] mass & gravity are ne>ly z l>ge z ! ,e>? 7,m>s is small]7 & h] cl\dy atmosph]e w\ld disc\rage a/ronomy1 h5ce space travel4 ,! la/ argum5t1 ,i ?\ght1 did n h too mu* weight4 ,we 7 plann+ to escape ! e>?'s gravity2 ,m>tians c\ld d ! same1 ) _! planet4 ,z = ! cl\dy atmosph]e1 !y c\ld h develop$ "s sy/em ( radio or rad> inve/igation ( ! univ]se4 ,! ,navy rese>* units1 ,i knew1 7 prob+ ! f>-(f ,crab nebula 9 ! ,milky ,way ) special radio devices4 ,?is same me?od1 or some?+ f> sup]ior1 c\ld h be5 develop$ on ,v5us1 or o!r planets surr\nd$ by con/ant cl\ds4 ,aft] ! discussion ( sol>-sy/em planets1 ! ,project 8,sauc]0 report w5t on to o!r /> sy/ems3 ,outside ! sol> sy/em o!r />s--#bb 9 numb]--h satellite planets4 ,our sun has n9e4 ,"o ( ^!1 ! ,e>?1 is ideal = exi/5ce ( intellig5t life4 ,on two o!rs !re is a possibility ( life4 ,!re=e1 a/ronom]s believe reasonable ! !sis t !re c\ld be at lea/ "o ideally habitable planet = ea* ( ! #bb o!r eligible />s4 ,aft] publication ( our f9d+s 9 ,true1 sev]al a/ronom]s said t _m planets may be inhabit$4 ,"o ( ^! 0 ,dr4 ,c>l ,f4 von ,weizack]1 not$ ,univ]sity ( ,*icago physici/4 ,on ,janu>y #aj1 #aiej1 ,dr4 von ,weizack] /at$3 8,billions ^u billions ( />s f\nd 9 ! heav5s may ea* h _! own planets revolv+ ab\t !m4 ,x is possible t ^! planets w\ld h plant & animal life on !m simil> to ! e>?'s40 ,aft] n>r[+ ! eligible />s d[n to tw5ty-two ! ,project 8,sauc]0 report goes on3 ,! !ory is also employ$ t man repres5ts ! av]age 9 advancem5t & developm5t4 ,!re=e1 "o-half ! o!r habitable planets w\ld be beh9d man 9 developm5t1 & ! o!r half ahead4 ,x is also assum$ t any visit+ race c\ld be expect$ to be f> 9 advance ( man4 ,?us1 ! *ance ( space travel]s exi/+ at planets atta*$ to neighbor+ />s is v mu* great] ?an ! *ance ( space-travel+ ,m>tians4 ,! "o c be view$ z almo/ a c]ta9ty 7if y accept ! !sis t ! numb] ( inhabit$ planets is equal to ^? t are suitable = life & t intellig5t life is n peculi> to ! ,e>?7 40 ,! mo/ likely /> 0 ,wolf #cei--;eight light-ye>s away4 ,i ?\ght = a m9ute ab\t travel+ t va/ di/ance4 ,x 0 almo/ appall+1 consid]$ 9 t]ms ( man's life span4 ,( c\rse1 dwell]s on o!r planets might live mu* long]4 ,if ! spe$ ( light 0 n an absolute limit1 almo/ any space j\rney w\ld !n be possible4 ,s9ce !re w\ld be no resi/ance 9 out] space1 x w\ld be simply a matt] ( us+ rocket p[] 9 ! fir/ /ages to accel]ate to ! maximum spe$ desir$4 ,9 ! latt] phase1 ! rocket's drive w\ld h to be rev]s$1 to decel]ate = ! l&+4 ,! night be=e my appo9tm5t ) ,r$ell1 ,i 0 *eck+ a case report :5 ! phone rang4 ,x 0 ,john ,/eele4 8,are y /ill work+ on ! sauc]s80 he ask$4 8,if y are1 ,i h a sugge/ion--some?+ t might be a real lead40 8,i c\ld use a lead "r n[10 ,i told him4 8,i c't give y ! s\rce1 b x's "o ,i consid] reliable10 said ,/eele4 8,?is man says ! disks are ,briti% developm5ts40 ,?is 0 a new "o4 ,i hadn't consid]$ ! ,briti%4 ,/eele talk$ = ov] half an h\r1 exp&+ ! idea4 ,! sauc]s1 8 in=mant said1 7 rotat+ disks ) camb]$ surfaces--orig9ally a ,nazi device4 ,ne> ! end ( ! w>1 ! ,briti% _h seiz$ all ! models1 along ) ! ,g]man te*nicians & sci5ti/s :o _h work$ on ! project4 ,! fir/ ,briti% types _h be5 develop$ secretly 9 ,engl&1 accord+ to ?is acc\nt4 ,b ! fir/ te/s %[$ a dang]\s lack ( control2 ! disks /reak$ up to high altitudes1 hurtl+ )\t direction4 ,"s _h be5 se5 ov] ! ,atlantic1 "s 9 ,turkey1 ,spa91 & o!r p>ts ( ,europe4 ,! ,briti% !n _h %ift$ op]ations to ,au/ralia1 :]e a guid$-missile te/ range _h be5 set up4 7,?is "p1 ,i knew1 c\ld be true2 !re 0 su* a range47 ,aft] improv+ _! remote-control sy/em1 :i* us$ bo? radio & rad>1 !y _h built disks up to a hundr$ feet 9 diamet]4 ,^! 7 laun*$ out ov] ! ,pacific1 ! fir/ ones /raight ea/w>d ov] op5 sea4 ,briti% de/roy]s 7 /ation$ at #ajj-mile & lat] #ejj-mile int]vals1 to track ! missiles by rad> & correct _! c\rses4 ,at a set "t1 :5 _! fuel 0 almo/ exhau/$1 ! disks came d[n v]tically & l&$ 9 ! ocean4 ,s9ce "p ( ! device 0 seal$1 ! disks w\ld float2 !n a special laun*+ %ip w\ld hoi/ !m abroad1 refuel !m1 & laun* !m back t[>d a remote base 9 ,au/ralia1 :]e !y 7 l&$ by remote control4 ,s9ce !n1 ,/eele said1 ! disks' range & spe$ _h be5 greatly increas$4 ,! fir/ te/s ( ! new disks 0 9 ! spr+ ( #aidg1 8 in=mant _h told him4 ,! ,briti% _h ru%$ ! project1 because ( ,soviet ,russia's m5ac+ attitude4 ,_! only def5se 9 ,engl&1 ! ,briti% knew1 w\ld be "s p[]ful guid$ missile t c\ld de/roy ,soviet bases aft] ! fir/ attack4 ,9 ord] to *eck ! range & spe$s accurately1 x 0 necess>y to h obs]v]s 9 ! ,we/]n ,hemisph]e--! disks 7 n[ trav]s+ ! ,pacific4 ,! ideal te/ range1 ! ,briti% decid$1 0 "o ext5d+ ov] ,canada1 :]e ! disks c\ld be track$ & ev5 l&$4 ,if ! acc\nt 0 "r1 said ,/eele1 a base _h be5 set up 9 ! desolate ,hudson ,bay c\ntry4 ,special rad>-track+ /ations _h also be5 e/abli%$1 to guide ! missiles t[>d ,au/ralia & vessels at sea4 ,^! /ations also help$ to br+ 9 missiles f ,au/ralia4 ,"s ( ! disk missiles 7 suppos$ to h be5 laun*$ f a ,briti% isl& 9 ! ,s\? ,pacific2 o!rs came all ! way f ,au/ralia4 ,/ill o!rs 7 believ$ to h be5 laun*$ by a "m %ip /ation$ betwe5 ! ,galapagos ,isl&s & ,pitcairn4 ,x 0 ^! new disks t _h be5 se5 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 ,alaska1 ,canada1 & ,lat9 ,am]ica1 ,/eele's in=mant _h told him4 ,at fir/1 ! sight+s 7 due to imp]fect controls2 ! disks sometimes fail$ to keep _! altitude1 p>tly because ( conflict+ radio & rad> beams f ! c\ntries bel[4 ,respond+ to "s ( ^! mix$ signals1 ,/eele said1 ! disks _h be5 kn[n to rev]se c\rse1 hov] or desc5d ov] rad> & radio /ations1 or circle ar\nd at high spe$s until _! own control sy/em pick$ !m up aga94 ,= ?is reason1 ! ,briti% _h arrang$ a simple detonator sy/em1 op]at$ ei!r by remote control or automatically "u c]ta9 conditions4 ,9 ?is way1 no disk w\ld cra% ov] l&1 ) ! dang] ( hitt+ a populat$ area4 ,if x desc5d$ bel[ a c]ta9 altitude1 ! disk w\ld automatically spe$ up its rotation1 !n explode at a high altitude4 ,:5 rad> track]s saw t a disk 0 (f c\rse & c\ld n be realign$1 ! ne>e/ /ation !n s5t a special signal to activate ! detonator sy/em4 ,?is 0 always done1 ,/eele _h be5 told1 :5 a disk head$ t[>d ,sib]ia2 !re _h previ\sly be5 a few cases :5 ,au/ralian-laun*$ disks _h got away f controll]s & appe>$ ov] ,europe4 ,i li/5$ to ,/eele's acc\nt ) mix$ a/oni%m5t & suspicion4 ,x s\nd$ l a pipe dream2 b if x 01 x _h be5 c>efully ?\ght out1 especially ! details t foll[$4 ,at fir/1 ,/eele said1 ,am]ican def5se (ficials _h be5 completely baffl$ by ! disk reports4 ,!n ! ,briti%1 le>n+ ab\t ! sight+s1 _h ha/ily expla9$ to top-level ,am]ican (ficials4 ,an agreem5t _h be5 work$ out4 ,we 7 to h ! b5efit ( _! rese>* & te/+ & work+ models1 9 return = help+ to conceal ! secret4 ,we 7 also to aid 9 track+ & controll+ ! missiles :5 !y pass$ ov] ?is c\ntry4 8,& ,i ga!r we paid 9 o!r ways10 ,/eele said4 8,my s\rce says ?is play$ a big "p 9 increas+ our aid to ,brita91 includ+ c]ta9 atomic secrets40 ,t c\ld make s5se4 ,%>+ su* a secret w\ld be wor? all ! money & supplies we _h p\r$ into ,engl&4 ,if ,am]ica & ,great ,brita9 bo? _h a sup]ior long-range missile1 x w\ld be ! bigge/ factor ,i knew = hold+ (f w>4 ,b ! long ranges involv$ 9 ,/eele's explanation made ! ?+ incr$ible4 8,h[ are !y p[]$8 ,:at fuel d !y use80 ,i ask$ him4 8,t's ! "o ?+ ,i c\ldn't get10 said ,/eele4 8,?is man told me x 0 ! mo/ c>efully gu>d$ secret ( all4 ,!y've tapp$ a new s\rce ( p[]40 8,if he means atomic eng9es10 ,i said1 8,i don't believe x4 ,i don't ?9k anyone is t f> along40 8,no1 no10 ,/eele said e>ne/ly1 8he said x wasn't t4 ,& ! re/ ( ! /ory hangs toge!r40 ,privately1 ,i ?\ght ( two or ?ree holes1 b ,i let t g4 8,if x's ,briti%10 ,i said1 8d y ?9k we %\ld ev5 h9t at x80 8,i don't see any h>m10 ,/eele answ]$4 8,! ,russians und\bt$ly "k ! tru?4 ,!y h ag5ts ev]y:]e4 ,x might d a lot ( good = ,am]ican-,briti% relations4 ,anyway1 x w\ld (fset any fe> t ! sauc]s are ,soviet weapons40 8,!n y're n worri$ ab\t t angle any m80 ,/eele laugh$4 8,no1 b x _h me go+ = a :ile4 ,x 0 a big relief to f9d out ! disks are ,briti%40 8,:at's ! disks' ceil+80 ,i ask$1 abruptly4 8,oh--sixty ?\s& feet1 at lea/10 said ,/eele4 ,aft] a mom5t he add$ quickly1 8,t's j a guess--!y probably op]ate mu* high]4 ,i didn't ?9k to ask40 ,be=e ,i hung up1 he ask$ me :at ,i ?\ght1 ( ! ,briti% explanation4 8,x's c]ta9ly m plausible ?an ! ,soviet idea10 ,i said4 ,i ?ank$ him = call+ me1 & put d[n ! phone4 ,i 0 tempt$ to po9t out ! flaws 9 8 /ory4 ,b ,i didn't4 ,if he 0 s9c]e1 x w\ld be poor ?anks = :at he _h told me4 ,if he 0 try+ to plant a fake explanation1 x w\ldn't hurt to let him ?9k ,i'd swall[$ x4 ,:5 ,i saw ,r$ell1 ,i told him ab\t ,/eele4 8,x does look l an attempt to /e] y away f ! int]planet>y answ]10 ,r$ell agre$1 8?\gh he may be pass+ on a tip he believes40 8,y ?9k !re c\ld be any tru? 9 ! ,briti% /ory80 8,w\ld ! ,briti% risk a hundr$-foot disk cra%+ 9 "s ,am]ican city80 said ,r$ell4 8,no remote control is p]fect1 & nei!r is a detonator sy/em4 ,by "s freak accid5t1 a disk might come d[n 9 a place l ,*icago1 & !n bl[ up4 ,i j c't see ! ,briti%--any m ?an ourselves--lett+ huge unpilot$ missiles g b>g+ ar\nd ! _w1 fly+ along airways & ov] cities4 ,c]ta9ly1 !y c\ld h automatic devices to make !m ve] away f airl9]s--b :at if a circuit fail$80 8,i g along ) t10 ,i said4 8,i don't say ! ,briti% don't h "s long-range missiles10 ,r$ell broke 94 8,e big nation has a guid$-missile project4 ,b no guid$ missile on e>? c expla9 ! ,mantell case & ! o!rs we've discuss$40 ,i %[$ him ! mat]ial ,i _h on ! ,nazi disk exp]im5ts4 ,r$ell skimm$ ?r\gh x & nodd$4 8,i c tell y a little m10 he said4 8,"s top ,nazi sci5ti/s 7 conv9c$ we 7 be+ obs]v$ by space visitors4 ,!y'd se>*$ all ! old reports4 ,"s sight+ ov] ,g]many set !m (f ab\t #aidj4 ,t's :at ,i 0 told4 ,i ?9k t's :]e !y fir/ got ! idea ( try+ out oval & circul> airfoils4 8,up to !n1 nobody 0 int]e/$4 ,! rotation idea uses ! same pr9ciple z ! helicopt]1 b nobody _h ev5 foll[$ t ?r\gh4 ,! ,nazis w5t to "w on ! disks4 ,!y also began to ru% space-exploration plans--! orbit+ satellite idea4 ,i ?9k !y realiz$ ^! space %ips 7 us+ "s great s\rce ( p[] we hadn't discov]$ on e>?4 ,i believe t's :at !y 7 aft]--t p[] secret4 ,if !y'd succe$$1 !y'd h own$ ! _w4 ,z x 01 t space project caus$ !m to leap ahead ( ev]ybody ) rockets40 ,:5 ,i ask$ ,r$ell h[ he ?\ght ! space %ips 7 p[]$1 he %rugg$4 8,probably cosmic rays hold ! answ]4 ,_! p[] w\ld be ev5 great] ?an atomic p[]4 ,!re's ano!r s\rce ,i've he>d m5tion$1 b mo/ p sc(f at x4 ,t's ! use ( electromagnetic fields 9 space4 ,! e>? has its magnetic field1 ( c\rse1 & s does ! sun4 ,probably all planets d4 8,!re's a man nam$ ,f]n& ,r\ssel :o wrote a book call$ ,! ,unify+ ,pr9ciple ( ,physical ,ph5om5a1 ab\t #aidc4 ,he goes into ! electromagnetic-field !ory4 ,if he's "r1 !n !re mu/ be "s way to tap ?is =ce & g f "o planet to ano!r )\t us+ any fuel4 ,y'd use y\r fir/ planet's magnetic field to />t y (f & !n coa/ ?r\gh space until y got into ! field ( ! next planet4 ,at lea/1 t's h[ ,i und]/& x4 ,b y'd be saf] /ick+ to atomic p[]4 ,t's be5 prov$40 ,mo/ ( our conv]sations _h be5 key$ to ! te*nical side ( ! fly+-sauc] problem4 ,b be=e ,i left ?is "t1 ,i ask$ ,r$ell h[ ! ?\ght ( space visitors affect$ him4 8,oh1 at fir/ ,i _h a que] feel+ ab\t x10 he answ]$4 8,b once y accept x1 x's l any?+ else4 ,y get us$ to ! idea40 8,"o ?+ bo!rs me10 ,i said4 8,:5 ,i try to picture !m1 ,i keep rememb]+ ! crazy-look+ ?+s 9 "s ( ! comics4 ,:at d y suppose !y're really l80 8,i've ?\ght ab\t x = mon?s40 ,r$ell sl[ly %ook 8 head4 8,i hav5't ! slighte/ idea40 ,,*apt] ,,xiv ,t ev5+1 aft] my talk ) ,r$ell1 ! "q kept com+ back 9 my m9d4 ,:at 7 !y l8 ,& :at 7 !y do+ "h8 ,f ! long record ( sight+s1 x 0 possible to get an answ] to ! second "q4 ,obs]vation ( ! e>? foll[$ a g5]al patt]n4 ,accord+ to ! reports1 ,europe1 ! mo/ populat$ area1 _h be5 m closely obs]v$ ?an ! re/ ( ! globe until ab\t #ahgj4 ,by ?is "t1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 beg9n+ to rival ,europe 9 indu/rial progress1 _h evid5tly become ( int]e/ to ! space-%ip crews4 ,f !n on1 ,europe & ! ,we/]n ,hemisph]e1 *iefly ,nor? ,am]ica1 %>$ ! obs]v]s' att5tion4 ,! few sight+s report$ at o!r po9ts ar\nd ! _w indicate an occasional *eck-up on ! e>? 9 g5]al4 ,app>5tly ,_w ,w> ,i _h n greatly conc]n$ ! space obs]v]s4 ,"o reason might be t our a]ial op]ations 7 /ill at a relatively l[ altitude4 ,b ,_w ,w> ,,ii _h drawn m att5tion1 & ?is _h obvi\sly increas$ f #aidg up to ! pres5t "t4 ,our atomic-bomb explosions & ! ,v-#b high-altitude exp]im5ts might be only co9cid5ce1 b ,i c\ld ?9k ( no o!r developm5t t might s]i\sly conc]n dwell]s on o!r planets4 ,x 0 a /range ?+ to ?9k ( "s f>-(f race keep+ track ( ! e>?'s progress4 ,if ,r$ell 0 "r1 x might ev5 h />t$ 9 prehi/oric "t2 a brief survey1 p]haps once a c5tury or ev5 fur!r spac$1 !n gradually m frequ5t obs]vation z cities appe>$ on ! e>?4 ,some:]e on a di/ant planet !re w\ld be records ( t long survey4 ,i wond]$ h[ our developm5t w\ld appe> to t f>-advanc$ race4 ,!y w\ld h se5 ! sl[ sail+ %ips1 ! fir/ /eam%ips1 ! l9es ( /eel tracks t c>ri$ our fir/ tra9s4 ,wat*+ = our fir/ aircraft1 !y w\ld see ! drift+ balloons t seem$ an a]ial miracle :5 ! ,montgolfi]s fir/ succe$$4 ,m ?an a c5tury lat]1 !y w\ld h not$ ! sl[1 clumsy airplanes ( ! e>ly #aijj's4 ,f our gradual progress to ! big planes & bomb]s ( today1 !y c\ld probably *>t our next /eps t[>d ! /ratosph]e--& !n space4 ,dur+ ! la/ two c5turies1 !y w\ld h wat*$ a doz5 w>s1 ea* "o fi]c] ?an ! la/1 spread+ ov] ! globe4 ,add+ up all ! ?+s !y _h se51 !y c\ld draw an accurate picture ( man1 ! e>? creature1 & ! increas+ly fi]ce /ruggle betwe5 ! e>? races4 ,! long survey held no sign ( m5ace4 ,if !re _h be5 a guid+ purpose ( attack & de/ruction1 x c\ld h be5 c>ri$ out ye>s ago4 ,x 0 almo/ c]ta9 t any planet race able to trav]se space w\ld h ! means = attack4 ,m ?an once1 dur+ ?is inve/igation1 ,i _h be5 ask$3 8,if ! sauc]s are int]planet>y1 :y hav5't !y l&$ "h8 ,:y hav5't _! crews tri$ to make contact ) u80 ,!re 0 always ! possibility t ! planet race or races c\ld n survive on e>?1 or t _! communications did n include ! me?ods t we us$4 ,b ,i f\nd t h>d to believe4 ,su* a sup]ior race w\ld c]ta9ly be able to ma/] our radio op]ations1 or any?+ else t we _h develop$1 9 a fairly %ort "t4 ,& x %\ld be equally simple to devise "s means ( survival on e>?1 j z we 7 already plann+ special suits & helmets = exi/5ce on ! moon4 ,dur+ a talk ) a =m] ,intellig5ce (fic]1 ,i got a key to ! probable explanation4 8,:y don't y j rev]se x--li/ :at we int5d to d :5 we />t explor+ space8 ,t'll give y ! approximate picture ( :at visitors to ! e>? w\ld be do+40 ,naturally1 all ! details ( space plans h n be5 work$ out1 b ! g5]al plan is cle>4 ,aft] ! fir/ successful e>? satellites1 we w ei!r attempt a space base f>!r out or else laun* a moon rocket4 ,probably _m r\nd trips to ! moon w be made be=e go+ f>!r 9 space4 ,:i* planet w be explor$ fir/1 aft] ! moon8 ,accord+ to ,air ,=ce reports1 x is almo/ a c]ta9ty t planets outside ! sol> sy/em are inhabit$4 ,b because ( ! va/ di/ances involv$1 exp$itions to our neighbor+ planets may be tri$ be=e ! m =midable j\rneys4 ,m ?an "o prom95t a/ronom] believes t life1 entirely diff]5t f our own1 may exi/ on "s sol> planets4 ,besides ,m>s1 ,jupit]1 & ,v5us1 !re are five m t1 l ! e>?1 revolve ar\nd ! sun4 ,"o ( ! prom95t au?orities is ,dr4 ,h4 ,sp5c] ,jones1 ,a/ronom] ,royal4 ,9 8 book ,life on ,o!r ,worlds1 ,dr4 ,jones po9ts out t ev]y?+ ab\t u is ! result ( *ang+ processes1 begun mill5niums ago & /ill go+ on4 ,we _c def9e life solely 9 our own t]ms2 x c exi/ 9 unfamili> =ms4 8,x is conceivable10 ,dr4 ,jones /ates 9 8 book1 8t we c\ld h be+s1 ! cells ( ^: bodies conta9$ silicon in/ead ( ! c>bon :i* is an ess5tial con/itu5t ( our cells & ( all o!r liv+ cells on ! e>?4 ,& t because ( ?is ess5tial diff]5ce betwe5 ! con/itution ( ^? cells & ! cells ( :i* animal & plant life on ! e>? are built up1 !y might be able to exi/ at temp]atures s high t no t]re/rial types ( life c\ld survive40 ,accord+ to ,dr4 ,jones1 !n1 life c\ld be possible on worlds hott] & dri] ?an ours2 x c\ld also exi/ on a v mu* cold] "o1 su* z ,m>s4 ,ev5 if a survey ( ! sun's planets prov$ fruitless1 x w\ld decide ! "q ( _! be+ populat$4 ,also1 x w\ld provide valuable exp]i5ce = ! mu* long] j\rneys into space4 ,no "o expects su* a survey until we h a space vehicle able to make ! r\nd trip4 ,"o-way trips w\ld tell u no?+1 ev5 if volunte]s (f]$ to make su* suicidal j\rneys4 ,! mo/ probable /ep w be to laun* a space vehicle equipp$ ) supplies = a long "t1 p]haps a ye> or two1 )9 ! sol> sy/em4 ,s9ce ,m>s has be5 frequ5tly m5tion$ z a s\rce ( ! fly+ sauc]s1 let's assume x w\ld be ! fir/ sol>-sy/em planet to be explor$ f ! e>?4 ,z ! space %ip ne>$ ,m>s1 x c\ld be turn$ to circle ! planet 9 an orbit1 j l our plann$ e>? satellite vehicle4 ,once 9 ?is orbit1 x c\ld circle indef9itely )\t us+ fuel except to correct its c\rse4 ,f ?is space base1 unmann$ remote-control 8obs]v]0 units ) television 8eyes0 or o!r transmitt]s w\ld be s5t d[n to survey ! planet at close range4 ,if x !n seem$ fairly safe1 a mann$ unit c\ld be releas$ to make a m ?or\gh *eck-up4 ,su* prelim9>y caution w\ld be imp]ative4 ,our explor]s w\ld h no idea ( :at await$ !m4 ,! planet might be un9habit$4 ,x might be peopl$ by a fi]cely b>b>\s race unaw>e ( civilization z we "k x4 ,or x might h a civilization f> 9 advance ( ours4 ,! explor]s w\ld fir/ try to get a g5]al idea ( ! :ole planet4 ,!n !y w\ld attempt to exam9e ! mo/ d5sely populat$ areas1 types ( armature1 any aircraft likely to attack !m4 ,comb+ ! radio spectrum1 !y w\ld pick up & record s\nds & signals 9 ord] to deciph] ! language4 ,z on e>?1 !y might he> a hodgepodge ( tongues4 ,! next /ep w\ld be to select ! mo/ te*nically advanc$ nation1 li/5 91 & try to le>n its language1 or record x = deciph]+ aft]w>d on e>?4 ,our a/ronom]s already h analyz$ ,m>s's atmosph]e1 b ! explor]s w\ld h to confirm _! reports1 to f9d out :e!r ! atmosph]e at ! surface w\ld support _! lungs if !y l&$4 ,! easie/ way w\ld be to s5d d[n mann$ or unmann$ units ) special app>atus to scoop 9 atmosph]e samples4 ,lat] analysis w\ld tell :e!r e>?l+s w\ld ne$ oxyg5-helmet suits su* z we plan to use on ! moon4 ,b be=e risk+ flight at su* l[ altitudes1 ! explor]s w\ld fir/ le>n ev]y?+ possible ab\t ! planet's aircraft1 if any4 ,!y w\ld try to det]m9e _! top ceil+1 maximum spe$1 maneuv]ability1 & if possible _! weapons4 ,mit* ( ?is c\ld be done by s5d+ d[n remote-control 8obs]v]0 disks1 or :atev] type we decide to use4 ,a mann$ unit might make a survey at night1 or 9 daytime ) cl\ds ne>by to %ield x4 ,by hov]+ ov] ! planet's aircraft bases1 ! explor]s c\ld get mo/ ( ! picture1 & also decide :e!r ! bases 7 suitable = _! own use lat]4 ,x might ev5 be necess>y to lure "s ,m>tian aircraft into pursuit ( our units1 to f9d out _! p]=mance4 ,b our explor]s w\ld above all avoid any sign ( ho/ility2 !y w\ld ha/ily4 )draw to %[ !y _h no w>like int5tions4 ,if ! appe>ance ( our obs]v] units & mann$ craft caus$ too viol5t reactions on ! planet1 ! explor]s w\ld )draw to _! orbit+ space vehicle & ei!r wait = a lull or else />t ! long trip back home4 ,ano!r int]planet>y craft f ! e>? might take its place lat] to resume p]iodic surveys4 ,9 ?is way1 a va/ am\nt ( in=mation c\ld be collect$ )\t once mak+ contact ) ! /range race4 ,if !y seem$ bellig]5t or unciviliz$1 we w\ld probably end our survey & *eck on ! next possibly inhabit$ planet4 ,if we f\nd !y 7 highly civiliz$1 we w\ld und\bt$ly attempt lat] contact4 ,b x might take a long "t1 decades ( obs]vation & analysis1 be=e we 7 ready = t f9al /ep4 ,we might f9d a civilization n q s advanc$ z ours4 ,x might n yet h develop$ radio & television4 ,we w\ld !n h no way ( gett+ a detail$ picture1 le>n+ ! languages1 or communicat+ )4 ! ,m>tians4 ,analysis ( _! atmosph]e might %[ a great haz>d to e>?l+s1 "o mak+ x impossible to l& or requir+ ye>s ( rese>* to ov]come4 ,!re might be o!r ob/acles beyond our pres5t und]/&+4 ,?is same proc$ure w\ld apply to ! re/ ( ! sol>-sy/em planets & to m di/ant sy/ems4 ,s9ce ,wolf #cei is ! ne>e/ /> outside our sy/em t is likely to h inhabit$ planets1 "o ( ^! planets w\ld probably be li/$ z ! fir/ to explore 9 f>-di/ant space4 ,x w\ld be a trem5d\s und]tak+1 unless ! spe$ ( light c be exce$$ 9 space4 ,s9ce ,wolf #cei is eight light-ye>s f ! e>?1 ev5 if a space %ip travel$ at ! !oretical maximum--j "u #ahf1jj miles a second--x w\ld take ov] sixte5 ye>s = ! r\nd trip4 ,detail$ obs]vation ( ! planet w\ld add to ?is p]iod4 ,if we assume half t spe$--:i* w\ld /ill be an incr$ible atta9m5t ) our pres5t k--our space explor]s w\ld h to d$icate at lea/ ?irty-two ye>s to ! haz>d\s1 lonely r\nd trip4 ,h[ev]1 !re has nev] be5 a lack ( volunte]s = gr& und]tak+s 9 ! hi/ory ( man4 ,x is q possible t 9 our survey ( ! sol>-sy/em planets we w\ld f9d "s inhabit$1 b n advanc$ en\gh to be ( int]e/ to u4 ,p]iodically1 we might make return visits to note _! progress4 ,meantime1 our a/ronom]s w\ld wat* ^! planets1 probably develop+ new1 high] p[]$ telescopes = ! purpose1 to detect any signs ( unusual activity4 ,any trem5d\s explosion on a planet w\ld imm$iately conc]n u4 ,su* an explosion1 on ,m>s1 0 report$ by a/ronom]s on ,janu>y #af1 #aiej4 ,! cause & g5]al effects are /ill be+ debat$4 ,sadao ,saeki1 ! ,japanese a/ronom] :o fir/ report$ x at ,osaka1 believes x 0 ( volcanic nature4 ,! explosion creat$ a cl\d ov] an area ab\t sev5 hundr$ miles 9 diamet] & =ty miles high4 ,x 0 dull gray ) a yell[i% t+e & a diff]5t color f ! atmosph]ic ph5om5a cu/om>ily se5 ne> ,m>s4 ,saeki believes ! bla/ might h de/roy$ any =m ( life exi/+ on ! planet1 b ev5 ?\gh ! telescopic cam]a record$ a viol5t explosion1 o!r au?orities d n believe ! planet 0 wreck$4 ,! canals fir/ discov]$ on ,m>s by ,giovanni ,s*iap>elli1 ab\t #ahgg1 are /ill app>5t on photographs4 ,m>s is n[ be+ c>efully wat*$ by a/ronom]s4 ,if !re are m ( ! /range explosions1 ! planet w be scann$ con/antly = "s clue to _! nature4 ,if a my/]i\s explosion on ,m>s1 or any o!r planet1 7 f\nd ( atomic orig91 x w\ld cause s]i\s conc]n on e>?4 ,suppose = a mom5t t x happ5$ _m ye>s f n[1 :5 we w h succe$$ 9 space explorations4 ,at ?is "t1 let u assume our explor]s h f\nd t ,m>s is exp]im5t+ ) high-altitude rockets2 "s ( !m h be5 se51 ris+ at trem5d\s spe$1 9 ! upp] atmosph]e ( ,m>s4 ,!n comes ?is viol5t explosion4 ,a sci5tific analysis ( ! cl\d by a/rophysici/s "h on e>? proves x 0 ( atomic orig94 ,! fir/ reaction w\ld und\bt$ly be an imm$iate resurvey ( ,m>s4 ,z quickly z possible1 we w\ld e/abli% an orbit+ space base--out ( range ( ,m>tian rockets--& try to f9d h[ f> !y _h advanc$ ) atomic bombs4 ,samples ( ! ,m>tian atmosph]e w\ld be collect$ & analyz$ = telltale radiation4 ,obs]v] units w\ld be fl[n ov] ! planet1 ) in/rum5ts to locate atom-bomb plants & possibly uranium deposits4 ,! rocket-laun*+ bases w\ld also come "u close obs]vation4 ,we w\ld try to le>n h[ close ! sci5ti/s 7 to escap+ ! pull ( gravity4 ,s9ce ,m>s's gravity is mu* less ?an ! e>?'s1 ! ,m>tians w\ld n h s f> to progress be=e succe$+ 9 space travel4 ,! detail$ survey by our space-base obs]v]s w\ld probably %[ t !re 0 no imm$iate dang] to ! e>?4 ,x might take "o hundr$ ye>s--p]haps five hundr$--be=e ! ,m>tians c\ld be a problem4 ,ev5tually1 ! "t w\ld come :5 ,m>s w\ld s5d out space-%ip explor]s4 ,!y w\ld und\bt$ly discov] t ! e>? 0 populat$ ) a te*nically advanc$ civilization4 ,any w>like ideas !y _h 9 m9d c\ld be quickly end$ by a %[ ( our sup]ior space craft & our own atomic weapons--probably f> sup]ior to any on ,m>s4 ,x might ev5 be possible t by !n we w\ld h f9ally outlaw$ w>2 if s1 a promise to %>e ! peaceful b5efits ( our te*nical k might be en\gh to br+ ,m>tian lead]s into l9e4 ,reg>dless ( our f9al decision1 we w\ld c]ta9ly keep a lose wat* on ,m>s--or any o!r planet t seem$ a possible ?reat4 ,n[1 if our space-exploration program is j rev]s$1 x w give a reasonable picture ( h[ visitors f space might g ab\t inve/igat+ ! e>?4 ,su* an inve/igation w\ld tie 9 ) ! g5]al patt]n ( au!ntic fly+-sauc] reports3 #a4 ,_w-wide sight+s at long int]vals up to ! middle ( ! n9ete5? c5tury4 #b4 ,conc5tration on ,europe1 z ! mo/ advanc$ section ( ! globe1 until late 9 ! n9ete5? c5tury4 #c4 ,frequ5t surveys ( ,am]ica 9 ! latt] "p ( ! n9ete5? c5tury1 z we began to develop indu/rially1 ) cities spr++ up across ! l&4 #d4 ,p]iodic surveys ( bo? ,am]ica & ,europe dur+ ! gradual developm5t ( aircraft1 f ! e>ly #aijj's up to ,_w ,w> ,,ii4 #e4 ,an increase ( obs]vation dur+ ,_w ,w> ,,ii1 aft] ,g]man ,v-#b's 7 laun*$ up into ! /ratosph]e4 #f4 ,a /eadily increas+ survey aft] our atomic-bomb explosions 9 ,new ,mexico1 ,japan1 ,bik9i1 & ,eniwetok4 #g4 ,a second spurt ( obs]vations foll[+ atom-bomb explosions 9 ,soviet ,russia4 #h4 ,cont9u+ obs]vations ( ! e>? at regul> int]vals1 ) mo/ att5tion conc5trat$ on ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 ! pres5t lead] 9 atomic weapons4 7,sauc]s h be5 report$ se5 ov] ! ,soviet ,union1 b ! numb] is unkn[n4 ,!re is "s evid5ce t ,russia has an inve/igative unit simil> to ,project 8,sauc]407 ,!re are o!r po9ts ( simil>ity to ! program ( ,am]ican space exploration t ,i h outl9$4 ,mo/ ( ! extremely l>ge sauc]s h be5 at high altitudes1 "s ( !m _m miles above ! e>?4 ,at t height1 a space %ip w\ld be 9 no dang] f our planes & antiaircraft guns & rockets4 ,! small] disks & ! my/]y lights h be5 se5 at l[ altitudes4 ,occasionally a l>g] sauc] has be5 se5 to approa* ! e>? briefly1 z at ,lockb\rne ,air ,=ce ,base1 at ,be!l1 ,alabama1 at ,macon & ,montgom]y1 & o!r places4 ,x has be5 sugge/$ t ?is 0 = ! purpose ( secur+ atmosph]ic samples4 ,x c\ld also be to af=d p]sonal obs]vation by ! crews4 ,! num]\s small disks se5 9 ! fir/ "p ( ! sc>e1 9 #aidg1 fit ! patt]n = prelim9>y & close obs]vation by remote-controll$ obs]v] units4 ,z ! sc>e increas$1 ! daytime sight+s decreas$ = a :ile1 & my/]y lights began to be se5 m (t54 ,?is app>5t desire to avoid unfavorable att5tion c\ld h be5 caus$ by our pilots' repeat$ attempts to *ase ! /range fly+ objects4 ,au!ntic reports h describ$ sight+s2 ov] ! foll[+ ,air ,=ce bases3 ,*anute1 ,new>k1 ,&rews1 ,hickam1 ,robb9s1 ,godman1 ,cl>k1 ,fairfield ,suisan1 ,davis-,mon?an1 ,h>mon1 ,wright-,patt]son1 ,holloman1 ,cl9ton ,c\nty ,air ,=ce ,base1 & air bases 9 ,alaska1 ,g]many1 & ! ,azores4 ,sauc]s h also be5 sight$ ov] naval air /ations at ,dallas1 ,alam$a1 & ,key ,we/1 & f ! /ation at ,seattle4 ,!y h be5 report$ maneuv]+ ov] ! ,:ite ,s&s ,prov+ ,gr\nd1 ov] areas conta9+ atomic developm5ts1 above ! ,muroc ,air ,base te/+ area1 & ov] ! sup]-secret rese>* base ne> ,albuqu]que4 ,sev]al times sauc]s h pac$ bo? milit>y & civil aircraft2 _! actions /rongly indicate delib]ate enc\nt]s to le>n our planes' spe$ & p]=mance4 ,x seems obvi\s t bo? ! planes & ! bases 7 be+ obs]v$1 & 9 "s cases photograph$ by remote-control units or mann$ space %ips4 ,al?\gh ,i ?\ght x improbable t ! location ( our uranium deposits w\ld be ( int]e/ to space m51 a ,wa%+ton (ficial told me x w\ld be relatively simple to detect ! ore areas ) airborne in/rum5ts4 8,! ,geological ,survey has already develop$ special ,geig] c\nt]s = planes10 he told me4 8,!y _h a little tr\ble f cosmic-ray noise4 ,!y f9ally _h to cov] ! ,geig]s ) lead %ields4 ,:5ev] an important am\nt ( radiation is pres5t 9 ! gr\nd1 ! plane crew gets a signal1 & !y spot ! place on _! map4 ,x's a quick way ( locat+ valuable deposits40 ,:5 ,i told him :at ,i _h 9 m9d1 he sugge/$ an angle ,i _h n consid]$4 8,m9d y10 he said1 8,i'm n completely sold on ! int]planet>y answ]4 ,b assum+ x's correct t we're be+ obs]v$1 ,i c ?9k ( a /rong] reason ?an fe> ( "s di/ant attack4 ,"s atomic sci5ti/s say t a sup]-atomic bomb1 or sev]al set (f at once1 c\ld knock ! e>? out ( its orbit4 ,x s\nds fanta/ic1 b s is ! ,a-bomb4 ,x's j possible t "s sol>-planet race discov]$ ! dang]s long ago4 ,!y w\ld h good reason to worry if !y f\nd we 7 on t same track4 ,!re may be "s o!r atomic weapon we don't suspect1 ev5 worse ?an ! ,a-bomb1 "o t c\ld de/roy ! e>? & s]i\sly affect o!r planets40 ,at ! "t1 ,i ?\ght ?is 0 j idle speculation4 ,b s9ce !n1 sev]al atomic sci5ti/s h confirm$ ?is (ficial's sugge/ion4 ,"o ( ^! 0 ,dr4 ,paul ,elliott1 a nucle> physici/ :o work$ on ! ,a-bomb dur+ ! w>4 ,accord+ to ,dr4 ,elliott1 if sev]al hydrog5 bombs 7 explod$ simultane\sly at a high altitude1 x c\ld spe$ up ! e>?'s rotation or *ange its orbit4 ,he bas$ 8 /atem5t on ! rate ( en]gy ! e>? receives f ! sun1 a rate equal to "s f\r p\nds ( hydrog5 explod$ e second4 ,/ill o!r atomic sci5ti/s h said t ,h-bomb explosions might ev5 knock a l>ge *unk out ( ! e>?1 ) unpr$ictable results4 ,a dramatic picture ( :at might happ5 if ! e>? 7 =c$ f> out ( its orbit is indicat$ 9 ! mu*-discuss$ book ,worlds 9 ,collision1 by ,dr4 ,immanuel ,velikovsky1 rec5tly publi%$ by ,macmillan4 ,aft] _m ye>s ( rese>*1 ,dr4 ,velikovsky pres5ts /rong evid5ce t ! planet ,v5us1 :5 /ill a comet result+ f eruption f a l>g] planet1 mov$ erratically ab\t ! sky & viol5tly di/urb$ bo? ! e>? & ,m>s4 ,:5 ! comet approa*$ ! e>?1 our planet 0 =c$ out ( its orbit1 accord+ to ,worlds 9 ,collision4 ,= a "t1 ! _w 0 on ! br9k ( de/ruction4 ,quot+ _m au!ntic anci5t records1 includ+ ! ,qui* manuscript ( ! ,mayas1 ! ,ipuw] papyrus ( ! ,egyptians1 & ! ,visiddhi-,magga ( ! ,buddhi/s1 ,dr4 ,velikovsky describes ! cataclysm t took place4 8,! face ( ! e>? *ang$10 he writes 9 8 book4 ,! details1 re9=c$ by ! ,z5d-,ave/a ( ! ,p]sians1 tell ( trem5d\s hurricanes1 ( a major upheaval 9 ! e>?'s surface1 ( oceans ru%+ ov] _m p>ts ( ! l&1 :ile riv]s 7 driv5 f _! b$s4 ,"s ( ! ev5ts 9 ?is p]iod are m5tion$ 9 ! ,bible4 ,pr(essor ,horace ,m4 ,kall51 =m] dean ( ! ,new ,s*ool ( ,social ,rese>*1 /rongly endorses ,dr4 ,velikovsky's /atem5ts3 8,x is my belief t ,velikovsky has support$ 8 !ses ) sub/antial evid5ce & made an effective & p]suasive argum5t40 ,_m o!r au?orities endorse ?is "w1 :i* is docum5t$ ) impressive ref]5ces4 ,b ev5 if ?is p>ticul> acc\nt is n accept$1 all a/ronom]s agree t ! effect ( a comet pass+ ne> ! e>? w\ld be appall+4 ,worlds 9 ,collision /ates t ,m>s1 l ! e>?1 0 pull$ out ( its orbit by ! comet's erratic passage4 ,x may be t ?is ne> disa/] to ! e>? & ,m>s is kn[n on o!r sol> planets1 or rememb]$ on ,m>s itself1 if ! planet is inhabit$4 ,! possibility ( sup]-bomb explosions on ! e>? und]/&ably di/urb any dwell]s on o!r sol>-sy/em planets4 ,?is may be :at 0 back ( ! ,project 8,sauc]0 /atem5t on ! probable motives ( any visitors f space4 ,i m5tion$ ?is ,air ,=ce /atem5t 9 an e>li] *apt]1 b x may be ( int]e/ to repeat x at ?is "t4 ,! comm5t appe>$ 9 a confid5tial analysis ( ,intellig5ce reports1 9 ! =m]ly secret ,project 8,sauc]0 docum5t1 8,report on ,unid5tifi$ ,a]ial & ,cele/ial ,objects40 ,x reads z foll[s3 8,su* a civilization might obs]ve t on e>? we n[ h atomic bombs & are fa/ develop+ rockets4 ,9 view ( ! pa/ hi/ory ( mank9d1 !y %\ld be al>m$4 ,we %\ld !re=e expect at ?is "t above all to behold su* visitations4 8,s9ce ! acts ( mank9d mo/ easily obs]v$ f a di/ance are ,a-bomb explosions1 we %\ld expect "s relation to obta9 betwe5 ! "t ( ! ,a-bomb explosions1 ! "t at :i* ! space %ips are se51 & ! "t requir$ = su* %ips to arrive f & return to home base40 ,,*apt] ,,xv ,x 0 e>ly 9 ,octob] #aidi :5 ,i f9i%$ ! rev]sal ( our space-exploration plans4 ,i sp5t ! next two days runn+ d[n a sight+ report f a t[n 9 ,p5nsylvania4 ,l ?ree or f\r o!r tips t _h seem$ important at fir/1 x turn$ out to be a dud4 ,:5 ,i got back home1 ,i f\nd ,k5 ,purdy _h be5 try+ to rea* me4 ,i phon$ him at ,true1 & he ask$ me to fly up to ,new ,york ! next day4 8,i've j he>d !re's ano!r magaz9e work+ on ! sauc] /ory10 he told me4 8,:o is x80 ,i said4 8,i don't "k yet4 ,x may be j a rumor1 b we c't take a *ance4 ,we've got to get ?is 9 ! ,janu>y book40 ,t night ,i ga!r$ up all ! mat]ial4 ,x look$ hopeless to cond5se x into "o article1 & ,i knew t ,purdy _h ev5 m inve/igators' reports wait+ = me 9 ,new ,york4 ,fly+ up ! next morn+1 ,i sudd5ly ?\ght ( a talk ,i'd _h ) an air transport (ficial4 ,x 0 9 ,wa%+ton2 ,i _h j told him ab\t ! inve/igation4 8,if !y are spacem510 he said1 8!y'd probably h a h>d "t figur+ out ?is c\ntry by li/5+ to our broadca/s4 ,imag9e tun+ 9 soap op]as1 #8,! ,lone ,rang]1' & a c\ple ( crime y>ns1 along ) newsca/s ab\t /rikes & murd]s & ! cold w>4 ,!y might pick up "s ( ^? kid programs ab\t rocket %ips4 ,a few days ( li/5+ to t /uff--well1 x w\ld give !m "o hell ( a picture40 ,except = "s hoax reports1 ?is 0 ! fir/ funny sugge/ion ,i'd _h ab\t ! spacem54 ,b n[1 ?9k+ s]i\sly ab\t x1 ,i realiz$ he _h an important po9t4 ,x 0 possible t m5 f ano!r planet might h to reori5t ev5 _! way ( ?9k+ to und]/& ! e>?'s ways4 ,x w\ld n be automatic1 despite _! sup]ior te*nical progress4 ,evolution might h produc$ basic diff]5ces 9 _! und]/&+ ( life4 ,humor1 = in/ance1 might be totally lack+ 9 _! make-up4 ,:at w\ld !y be l8 ,i'd tri$ to imag9e h[ !y might look1 )\t gett+ any:]e4 ,dr4 ,h4 ,sp5c] ,jones hadn't help$ mu* ) 8 ,life on ,o!r ,worlds4 ,i c\ldn't beg9 to visualize be+s ) totally diff]5t cells1 p]haps able to take t]rific heat or bitt] cold z m]ely normal wea!r4 ,!re 7 all k9ds ( possibilities4 ,if !y liv$ on ,m>s1 = in/ance1 p]haps !y c\ldn't take ! heavi] gravity ( ! e>?4 ,!y might be easily subject to our diseases1 especially if !y _h de/roy$ disease g]ms on _! planet--a natural /ep = an advanc$ race4 ,x 0 possible1 ,i knew1 t ! spacem5 might look grotesque to u4 ,b ,i clung to a ,/ubborn feel+ t !y w\ld resemble man4 ,t came1 ( c\rse1 f an inborn feel+ ( man's sup]iority ov] all liv+ ?+s4 ,x c>ri$ ov] into a feel+ t any ?9k+1 intellig5t be+1 :e!r on ,m>s or ,wolf #cei's planets1 %\ld h evolv$ 9 ! same =m4 ,i gave up try+ to imag9e h[ ! spacem5 might look4 ,!re 0 simply no?+ to g on4 ,b !re 7 /rong indications ( h[ !y ?\ght & react$4 ,c]ta9 qualities 7 pla9ly evid5t4 ,intellig5ce4 ,no "o c\ld dispute t4 ,x took a high ord] ( m5tality to con/ruct & op]ate a space %ip4 ,c\rage4 ,x w\ld take brave m5 to face ! haz>ds ( space4 ,curiosity4 ,)\t ?is quality1 !y w\ld nev] h ?\ght to explore f>-di/ant planets4 ,!re 7 o!r qualities t seem$ almo/ equally c]ta94 ,^! spacem5 app>5tly lack$ bellig]5ce2 !re _h be5 no sign ( ho/ility ?r\gh all ! ye>s4 ,!y 7 seem+ly pa9/ak+ & extremely me?odical4 ,x 0 /ill n mu* ( a picture4 ,b someh[1 x 0 enc\rag+4 ,glanc+ d[n f ! plane's w9d[1 ,i ?\ght3 ,h[ does ?is look to !m8 ,our f>ms1 our cities1 ! railroads !re bel[2 ! highways1 ) ! spe$+ c>s & trucks2 ! w9d+ riv]1 & f> (f to ! "r1 ! broad /ret* ( ! ,atlantic4 ,:at w\ld !y ?9k ( ,am]ica8 ,manhattan came into sight1 z ! pilot let d[n = ! l&+4 ,an odd ?\ght popp$ into my m9d4 ,h[ w\ld a spaceman react if he saw a ,broadway %[8 ,n long be=e1 ,i _h se5 ,s\? ,pacific4 ,i c\ld /ill he> ,ezio ,p9za's magnific5t voice z he sang 8,"s ,en*ant$ ,ev5+40 ,0 music a "p ( spacem5's lives1 or w\ld x be some?+ new & /range1 p]haps completely di/a/eful8 ,!y might live & ?9k on a coldly intellig5t level1 )\t a t\* ( :at we "k z emotion4 ,to !m1 our lives might seem mean+less & dull4 ,we ourselves might appe> grotesque 9 =m4 ,b 9 _! progress1 !re mu/ h be5 /ruggle1 trial & error1 "s feel+ ( triumph at success4 ,surely ^! w\ld be emotional =ces1 b\nd to reflect 9 ! planet races4 ,p]haps1 9 spite ( "s diff]5ces1 we w\ld f9d a common bond--! bond ( ?9k+1 intellig5t creatures try+ to bett] !mselves4 ,! airl9] l&$ & taxi$ 9 to unload4 ,z ,i w5t d[n ! gangway ,i sudd5ly realiz$ some?+4 ,my la/ vague fe> 0 gone4 ,x _h n be5 a p]sonal fe> ( ! visitors f space4 ,x _h be5 a selfi% fe> ( ! impact on my life4 ,i realiz$ t n[4 ,x might be a long "t be=e !y w\ld try to make contact4 ,b ,i _h a conviction t :5 x came1 x w\ld be a peaceful mission1 n an ultimatum4 ,x c\ld ev5 be ! means ( end+ w>s on e>?4 ,b ,i _h be5 condition$ to ?is ?+4 ,i _h _h six mon?s ( prep>ation1 six mon?s to g f complete skepticism to sl[1 f9al acceptance4 ,:at if x _h be5 ?r[n at me 9 black headl9es8 ,ev5 a peaceful contact by be+s f ano!r planet w\ld pr(\ndly affect ! _w4 ,! /ory 9 ,true might play an important "p 9 t f9al effect4 ,c>efully done1 x c\ld help prep>e ,am]icans = ! (ficial disclosure4 ,b if x w]5't done "r1 we might be op5+ a ,p&ora's box4 ,,*apt] ,,xvi ,t morn+1 at ,true1 we made ! f9al decisions on h[ to h&le ! /ory4 ,us+ ! evid5ce ( ! ,mantell case1 ! ,*iles-,:itt$ report1 ,gorman's my/]y-light enc\nt]1 & o!r au!ntic cases1 along ) ! records ( e>ly sight+s1 we w\ld /ate our ma9 conclusion3 t ! fly+ sauc]s 7 int]planet>y4 ,9 go+ ov] ! mass ( reports1 ,purdy & ,i bo? realiz$ t a few sight+s did n fit ! space-obs]v] patt]n4 ,mo/ ( ^! reports came f ! s\?we/ /ates1 :]e guid$-missile exp]im5ts 7 go+ on4 ,purdy agre$ ) ,paul ,r$ell t any long-range te/s w\ld be made ov] ! sea or unpopulat$ areas1 ) e attempt at secrecy4 8,!y might make %ort-range te/s d[n !re 9 ,new ,mexico & ,arizona-maybe ov] ,texas10 he said4 8,b !y'd nev] risk kill+ p by %oot+ ! ?+s all ov] ! c\ntry40 8,!y've already set up a ?ree-?\s&-mile range = ! long] runs10 ,i add$4 8,x runs f ,florida into ! ,s\? ,atlantic4 ,& ! ,navy missiles at ,po9t ,mugu are laun*$ out ov] ! ,pacific4 ,any guid$ missiles com+ d[n ov] settl$ areas w\ld c]ta9ly be an accid5t4 ,besides all t1 no missile on e>? c expla9 ^! major cases40 ,purdy 0 emphatic ab\t speculat+ on our guid$-missile rese>*4 8,suppose y analyz$ ^! m9or cases t look l missile te/s4 ,y might accid5tally give away some?+ important1 l _! range & spe$s4 ,look :at ! ,russians did ) ! ,a-bomb h9ts ,wa%+ton let out40 ,x 0 f9ally decid$ t we w\ld briefly m5tion ! guid$ missiles1 along ) ! fact t ! arm$ s]vices _h flatly d5i$ any l9k ) ! sauc]s4 8,aft] all1 int]planet>y travel is ! ma9 /ory10 said ,purdy4 8,& ! ,mantell case alone proves we've be5 obs]v$ f space %ips1 ev5 )\t ! old records40 ,! "q ( ! /ory's impact worri$ bo? ( u4 public acceptance ( intellig5t life on o!r planets w\ld affect almo/ e phase ( our exi/5ce-bus9ess1 def5se plann+1 philosophy1 ev5 religion4 ,( c\rse1 ! imm$iate effect 0 m important4 ,p]sonally1 ,i ?\ght t mo/ ,am]icans c\ld take ev5 an (ficial ann\ncem5t )\t too mu* tr\ble4 ,b ,i c\ld be wrong4 8,! only y>d/ick--& t's n mu* good--is t #8little m5' /ory10 said ,purdy4 8,a lot ( p h got excit$ ab\t x1 b !y seem m int]e/$ ?an sc>$40 ,! /ory ( ! 8little m5 f ,v5us0 _h be5 circulat+ = "s "t4 ,9 ! usual v]sion1 two fly+ sauc]s _h come d[n ne> our s\?we/ bord]4 ,9 ! space craft 7 sev]al oddly dress$ m51 ?ree feet high4 ,all ( !m 7 dead2 ! cause 0 usually giv5 z inability to /& our atmosph]e4 ,! ,air ,=ce 0 said to h hu%$ up ! /ory1 s t ! public c\ld be educat$ gradually to ! tru?4 ,?\gh x _h all ! e>m>ks ( a well-?\ght-out hoax1 _m newspap]s _h repeat$ ! /ory4 ,x _h ev5 be5 broadca/ z fact on sev]al radio newsca/s4 ,b !re _h be5 no signs ( public al>m4 8,x looks z if p h come a long way s9ce t ,orson ,welles sc>e10 ,i said to ,purdy4 8,b !re isn't any m5ace 9 ?is /ory10 he object$4 8,! crews 7 report$ dead1 s ev]ybody got ! idea t spacem5 c\ldn't live if !y l&$4 ,:at if a space %ip %\ld sudd5ly come d[n ov] a big city--say ,new ,york--l[ en\gh = millions ( p to see x80 8x might cause a /amp$e10 ,i said1 ,purdy snort$4 8x w\ld be a miracle if x didn't1 unless p _h be5 fully prep>$4 if we d a /raight fact piece1 j giv+ ! evid5ce1 x w />t ! ball roll+4 ,p at lea/ w be ?9k+ ab\t x40 ,be=e ,i left = ,wa%+ton1 ,i told ,purdy ( my la/ visit to ! ,p5tagon4 ,i _h in=m$ ,air ,=ce press relations (ficials ( ,true's int5tion to publi% ! space-travel answ]4 ,!re _h be5 no attempt to dissuade me4 ,& ,i _h be5 told once aga9 t !re 0 no security involv$2 t ,project 8,sauc]0 _h f\nd no?+ ?reat5+ ! safety ( ,am]ica4 ,at ?is "t ,i _h also ask$ if ,project 8,sauc]0 files 7 n[ available4 ,! ,wright ,field unit1 ,i 0 told1 /ill 0 a classifi$ project1 bo? its files & its photographs secret4 ,?is _h be5 ! fir/ week 9 ,octob]4 ,:5 ,i ask$ if !re 0 any o!r in=mation on publi%$ cases1 ! answ] aga9 0 negative4 ,! ,april #bg? report1 accord+ to ,press ,bran* (ficials1 0 /ill an accurate /atem5t ( ,air ,=ce op9ions & policies4 ,s f> z !y knew1 no o!r explanations _h be n f\nd = ! unid5tifi$ sauc]s4 #8,i 9 absolutely conv9c$ n[10 ,i told ,purdy1 8t "h's an (ficial policy to let ! ?+ leak out4 ,x expla9s :y ,=re/al ann\nc$ our ,e>? ,satellite ,vehicle program1 ye>s be=e we c\ld ev5 />t to build x4 ,x also w\ld expla9 ^? ,project #8,sauc]' h9ts 9 ! ,april report40 8,i ?9k we're be+ us$ z a trial balloon10 ,purdy said ?\ghtfully4 8,we've let !m "k :at we're do+4 ,if !y'd want$ to /op u1 ! ,air ,=ce c\ld easily h done x4 ,all !y'd h to d w\ld be call u 91 give u ! dope (f ! record1 & tell u x 0 a patriotic duty to keep /ill4 ,j ! way !y did ab\t uranium & atomic exp]im5ts dur+ ! w>40 ,he /ill did n h ! "n ( ! o!r magaz9e suppos$ to be work+ on ! sauc]s4 ,b x seem$ a reliable tip 7x lat] prov$ to be true71 & f !n on we work$ "u high pressure4 ,9 writ+ ! article1 ,i us$ only ! mo/ au!ntic rec5t sight+s2 all ( ! cases 7 9 ! ,air ,=ce reports4 ,:5 x came to ! ,mantell case1 ,i /uck to publi%$ e/imates ( ! /range object's size2 a my/]i\s %ip #bej to #cjj feet 9 diamet] 0 />tl+ en\gh4 ,at fir/1 ,i *ose ,m>s to illu/rate our space explorations4 ,b ,m>s _h be5 associat$ ) ! ,orson ,welles /amp$e4 ,mo/ discussions ( ! planet _h a m5ac+ note1 p]haps because ( its w>like "n4 ,9 ! end1 ,i swit*$ to a planet ( ,wolf #cei4 ,! ?\ght ( ^? eight light-ye>s w\ld h a com=t+ effect on any n]v\s read]s4 ,! *ance ( any mass visitation w\ld seem remote1 if n impossible4 ,b x w\ld /ill put across ! space-travel /ory4 ,z f9ally revis$1 ! article1 writt5 "u my byl9e1 /at$ ! foll[+ po9ts z ! conclusions rea*$ by ,true3 #a4 ,= ! pa/ #age ye>s1 ! e>? has be5 "u sy/ematic close-range exam9ation by liv+1 intellig5t obs]v]s f ano!r planet4 #b4 ,! int5sity ( ?is obs]vation1 & ! frequ5cy ( ! visits to ! e>?'s atmosph]e1 h increas$ m>k$ly dur+ ! pa/ two ye>s4 #c4 ,! vehicles us$ = ?is obs]vation & = int]planet>y transport by ! explor]s h be5 class$ z foll[s3 ,type ,i1 a small1 nonpilot-c>ry+ disk-%ap$ craft equipp$ ) "s =m ( television or impulse transmitt]2 ,type ,,ii1 a v l>ge1 metallic1 disk-%ap$ aircraft op]at+ on ! helicopt] pr9ciple2 ,type ,,iii1 a dirigible-%ap$1 w+less aircraft t1 9 ! ,e>?'s atmosph]e1 op]ates 9 con=mance ) ! ,pr&tl !ory ( lift4 #d4 ,! disc]nible patt]ns ( obs]vation & exploration %[n by ! s-call$ fly+ disks v>ies 9 no important p>ticul> f well-develop$ ,am]ican plans = ! exploration ( space1 expect$ to come to fruition )9 ! next fifty ye>s4 ,!re is reason to believe1 h[ev]1 t "s o!r race ( ?9k+ be+s is a matt] ( two & a qu>t] c5turies ahead ( u4 ,foll[+ ^! po9ts1 ,i add$ a brief comm5t on ! possibility ( guid$ missiles1 add+ t ! ,air ,=ce _h conv9c+ly d5i$ ?is z an explanation ( any sight+s4 ,z ,purdy _h sugge/$1 ,i c>efully omitt$ t5 m9or cases t ,i ?\ght might be l9k$ ) guid$-missile rese>*4 ,if disclos+ ! facts ab\t space travel help$ to div]t att5tion f any secret te/s1 s mu* ! bett]4 8,true accepts ! (ficial d5ial ( any secret device10 ,i /at$1 8because ! weight ( ! evid5ce1 especially ! _w-wide sight+s1 does n support su* a belief40 ,mo/ read]s1 ( c\rse1 w\ld "k t "s guid$-missile exp]im5ts 7 go+ on1 & t ,true 0 fully aw>e ( x4 ,b our ma9 purpose w\ld be a*iev$4 ,! fact t ! e>? _h be5 obs]v$ by be+s f ano!r planet w\ld be fully pres5t$4 ,"s read]s1 ( c\rse1 w\ld reject ev5 ! fact t ! sauc]s exi/$4 ,o!rs w\ld cl+ to ! idea t !y 7 ( e>?ly orig94 ,b ! mass ( evid5ce w\ld make mo/ read]s ?9k4 ,at ! v lea/1 x w\ld plant "o /rong sugge/ion3 t we1 m5 & wom5 ( ! e>?1 are n ! only intellig5t species 9 ! univ]se4 ,:5 ! article 0 f9i%$1 x 0 tri$ out on ,true's /aff1 !n on a pick$ gr\p t _h n kn[n ab\t ! inve/igation4 ,"o editor summ$ up ! av]age op9ion3 8,x w cause a lot ( discussion1 b ! way x's writt51 x %\ldn't />t any panic40 ,! ,janu>y issue1 9 :i* ! /ory ran1 0 due on ! /&s %ortly aft] ,*ri/mas4 ,) my family1 ,i _h gone to ,ottumwa1 ,i[a1 to sp5d ! holidays ) my "m & si/]4 ,:ile ,i 0 !re1 ! /ory broke unexpect$ly on radio networks4 ,frank ,edw>ds1 ,mutual network newsca/]1 l$ (f ! radio comm5t4 ,he 0 foll[$ by ,walt] ,w9*ell1 ,l[ell ,?omas1 ,morgan ,beatty1 & mo/ ( ! o!r radio comm5tators4 ,! wire s]vices quickly pick$ x up2 "s pap]s ran front-page /ories4 ,! publicity 0 f> m ?an ,i _h expect$4 ,i phon$ a report] 9 ,wa%+ton ^: beat includes ! ,p5tagon4 8,! ,air ,=ce is runn+ ar\nd 9 circles10 he told me4 8,!y knew y\r /ory 0 due1 b nobody ?\ght x w\ld raise su* a fuss4 ,i ?9k !y're sc>$ ( hy/]ia4 ,!y're gett+ a b>rage ( wires & telephone calls40 ,t night1 z ,i 0 pack+ to ru% back ea/1 he call$ ) ! late/ news4 8,!y're go+ to d5y ! :ole ?+10 he said4 8,b' ,i he>d "o ,press ,bran* guy say x might n be en\gh --!y're try+ to figure "s way to knock x d[n fa/40 ,next day1 :ile *ang+ tra9s at ,*icago1 ,i saw ! ,air ,=ce /atem5t4 ,! press release 0 dat$ ,decemb] #bg1 #aidi4 ,)\t m5tion+ ,true1 ! ,air ,=ce flatly d5i$ hav+ any evid5ce t fly+ sauc]s exi/4 ,aft] exam9+ #cge reports1 ! release said1 ,project 8,sauc]0 _h f\nd t !y 7 caus$ by3 #a4 ,mis9t]pretation ( v>i\s conv5tional objects4 #b4 ,a mild =m ( mass hy/]ia or 8w> n]ves40 #c4 ,individuals :o fabricate su* reports to p]petrate a hoax or to seek publicity4 ,evaluation ( ! reports ( unid5tifi$ fly+ objects1 said ! ,air ,=ce1 demon/rates t !y con/itute no direct ?reat to ! national security ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates4 ,!n came ! cl9*]3 ,project 8,sauc]10 said ! ,air ,=ce1 _h be5 discont9u$1 n[ t all ! reports _h be5 expla9$4 ,x 0 pla9 t ! release _h be5 ha/ily prep>$4 ,x completely contradict$ ! detail$ ,project 8,sauc]0 report1 issu$ eight mon?s be=e1 t _h call$ = con/ant vigilance1 aft] admitt+ t mo/ important cases 7 unsolv$4 ,anyone famili> ) ! situation w\ld see ! discrepancy at once4 ,f ,wa%+ton ,i flew to ,new ,york1 :]e ,i f\nd ,true 9 a turmoil4 ,long-di/ance calls 7 p\r+ 94 ,lett]s on fly+ sauc]s _h swamp$ ! mail room4 ,report]s 7 h\nd+ ,purdy = m in=mation4 ,a hurri$ analysis ( ! fir/ hundr$ lett]s %[$ a tr5d t lat] mail confirm$4 ,less ?an #e p] c5t ( ! read]s ridicul$ ! article4 ,betwe5 #ae & #bj p] c5t said !y 7 n conv9c$2 a few ( ^! admitt$ !y c\ld n refute ! evid5ce4 ,ab\t half ! read]s accept$ ! possibility2 mo/ ( ^! said !y saw no reason :y o!r planets %\ld n be inhabit$4 ,! rema9d]1 betwe5 #be & #cj p] c5t1 said !y 7 completely conv9c$4 ,ev5 ! disbeliev]s ask$ = m in=mation4 ,! intellig5ce level ( ! av]age lett] 0 gratify+ly high4 ,comm5ts came f sci5ti/s1 eng9e]s1 airl9e & private pilots1 college pr(essors1 (fic]s ( ! arm$ s]vices1 & a wide v>iety ( o!rs--includ+ f> m wom5 ?an ,true's read]%ip usually includes4 ,sev]al confid5tial tips _h come 9 :5 ,i arriv$4 ,mo/ ( !m 7 f usually reputable s\rces4 ,we 7 giv5 evid5ce t ,project 8,sauc]0 0 /ill 9 op]ation2 s9ce its true code "n 0 n 8,sauc]10 x c\ld be cont9u$ )\t violat+ ! ,air ,=ce press release4 ,?is same in=mation 0 receiv$ f a doz5 s\rces )9 ! next two weeks4 ,we 7 also told t !re _h be5 #gbb cases1 in/ead ( #cge4 ,meantime1 a numb] ( a/ronom]s _h come out ) /atem5ts1 pro & con4 ,"o ( ^! 0 ,dr4 ,dean ,b4 ,mc,laughlin1 ( ! ,univ]sity ( ,mi*igan4 8,no "o kn[s :at ! sauc]s are z yet10 ,dr4 ,mc,laughlin said4 8,!y c\ld be any?+1 & ,i'm will+ to be conv9c$ once ! evid5ce is pres5t$40 ,dr4 ,b>t ,j4 ,bok ( ,h>v>d 0 on ! f5ce3 8,aft] all10 he said1 8all sort ( ?+s float ar\nd 9 space4 ,b ,i'm n conv9c$ ! sauc]s are any?+ ap>t f ! e>?40 ,ano!r ,h>v>d a/ronom]1 ,dr4 ,arm9 ,j4 ,deuts*1 took an oblique poke at ,true & me4 8,i don't ?9k anyone--& t includes a/ronom]s--kn[s en\gh ab\t !m to rea* any conclusions40 ,aft] ?is came ! comm5t ( ,dr4 ,c>l ,f4 von ,weizack]--t billions ( />s may h planets1 & _m c\ld be inhabit$4 ,)9 a few days we _h a huge /ack ( clipp+s1 "s support+ ,true1 "s d]id+ u4 ,9 ! mid/ ( all ?is1 ,i read sci5ti/s' comm5ts on ,e9/e9's new unifi$-field !ory1 :i* _h be5 pr9t$ ab\t ! "t ,true appe>$ on ! /&s4 ,a discussion by ,l9coln ,b>nett1 au?or ( ,! ,univ]se & ,dr4 ,e9/e91 expla9$ ! basic premise--t gravitation & electromagnetic =ce are insep>able4 ,z ,i read x1 ,i ?\ght ( :at ,r$ell _h said4 ,if gravitation 7 a manife/ation ( electromagnetic =ce1 0 x possible t an advanc$ race _h f\nd a way--z unique z splitt+ ! atom--to (fset gravity & utilize t =ce8 ,x 0 dur+ ^! fir/ t5se days t we ran d[n ! ,:ite ,s&s /ory4 ,?is also end$ ano!r puzzle--! id5tity ( ! magaz9e t we _h fe>$ might scoop u4 ,! race _h be5 clos] ?an we knew4 ,! editors ( a national magaz9e _h le>n$ ( ,comm&] ,mc,laughlin & ! sight+s at ,:ite ,s&s4 ,two ( ! /aff _h c>efully inve/igat$ ! details4 ,conv9c$ t ! report 0 accurate1 !y _h plann$ to run ! /ory 9 an e>ly issue4 ,s9ce ,true _h appe>$ fir/ ) ! space-travel /ory1 ! editors agre$ to release ! ,mc,laughlin report = use 9 our ,m>* issue4 ,! basic facts 7 9 close agreem5t ) :at ,r$ell _h told me4 ,! ellipsoid-%ap$ sauc] _h be5 track$ at a height ( #ef miles1 its spe$ #e miles p] second4 ,?is 0 #ah1jjj miles p] h\r1 ev5 fa/] ?an ,r$ell _h said4 ,! /range craft1 #aje feet 9 l5g?1 _h climb$ z swiftly z ,m>v9 ,miles _h describ$ x--an increase 9 altitude ( ab\t #be miles 9 #aj seconds4 ,comm&] ,mc,laughlin /at$ 9 8 article t he 0 conv9c$ ! object 0 a space %ip f ano!r planet1 op]at$ by animate1 intellig5t be+s4 ,he also describ$ two small circul> objects1 ab\t tw5ty in*es 9 diamet]1 t /reak$ up beside a ,navy high-altitude missile4 ,aft] maneuv]+ ar\nd x = a mom5t1 bo? disks accel]at$1 pass$ ! fa/-mov+ ,navy missile1 & disappe>$4 ,x is ,comm&] ,mc,laughlin's op9ion t ! sauc]s come f ,m>s4 ,po9t+ out t ,m>s 0 9 a good position to see our surface on ,july #af1 #aide1 he believes t ! fla% ( ! fir/ ,a-bomb1 at ,alamogordo ,base1 a po9t n f> f ,:ite ,s&s1 0 caught by p[]ful telescopes4 ,dur+ ! fir/ week ( ,janu>y1 ,i appe>$ on 8,we1 ! ,p10 ) ,lieut5ant ,george ,gorman4 ,:5 ,i saw ,gorman1 be=e rehe>sals1 he seem$ oddly con/ra9$4 ,i _h a feel+ t he _h be5 w>n$ ab\t talk+ freely4 ,dur+ rehe>sals1 he *ang$ 8 l9es 9 ! script4 ,:5 ! writ]s argu$ ov] a po9t1 ,gorman told !m3 8,i c say only :at 0 9 my publi%$ report--no?+ else40 ,! day be=e ! broadca/1 a program (ficial told me !y _h be5 told to include ! ,air ,=ce d5ial 9 ! script4 ,t aft]noon ,i le>n$ t ! ,air ,=ce plann$ to monitor ! broadca/4 ,meantime1 an ,a4,p4 /ory c>ri$ a new ,air ,=ce ann\ncem5t4 ,=m]ly secret ,project 8,sauc]0 files w\ld be op5$ to newsm5 at ! ,p5tagon1 giv+ ! answ]s to all ! sauc] reports4 ,j aft] my return to ,wa%+ton1 ,i saw an ,i4,n4,s4 /ory t 0 widely pr9t$4 ,x 0 an int]view ) ,major ,j]ry ,boggs1 a ,project 8,sauc]0 ,intellig5ce (fic] :o s]v$ z liaison man betwe5 ,wright ,field & ! ,p5tagon4 ,major ,boggs _h be5 ask$ = specific answ]s to ! ,mantell1 ,*iles-,:itt$1 & ,gorman cases4 ,! answ]s he gave amaz$ me4 ,i pick$ up ! phone & call$ ! ,air ,=ce ,press ,bran*4 ,aft] "s delay1 ,i 0 told t ,major ,boggs 0 be+ brief$ = assignm5t to ,g]many4 ,an int]view w\ld be almo/ impossible4 8,he wasn't too busy to talk ) ,i4,n4,s410 ,i said4 8,all ,i want is ?irty m9utes40 ,lat]1 ,jack ,%ea1 a civilian press (ficial ,i _h kn[n = "s "t1 arrang$ = ! meet+4 ,i 0 also to talk ) ,g5]al ,sory ,smi?1 ,deputy ,director = ,air ,in=mation4 ,major ,jesse ,/ay1 a ,press ,bran* (fic]1 took me to ,g5]al ,smi?'s (fice = ! int]view4 ,bo? ,jesse & ,jack ,%ea1 pleasant1 oblig+ *aps :o _h help$ me 9 ! pa/1 tri$ e>ne/ly to conv9ce me ! sauc]s didn't exi/4 ,jesse 0 /ill try+ :5 ,major ,boggs came 94 ,boggs look$ to be 9 8 tw5ties1 y\ng] ?an ,i _h expect$4 ,he 0 trim1 well built1 ) a quietly al]t face4 ,two r[s ( ribbons te/ifi$ to 8 w>time s]vice4 ,:5 ,jesse ,/ay introduc$ me1 ,boggs gave me a curi\sly se>*+ look4 ,x c\ld h be5 m]ely 8 usual way ( apprais+ p he met4 ,b all ?r\gh our talk1 ,i _h a /rong feel+ t he 0 on 8 gu>d4 ,i _h writt5 out "s que/ions1 b fir/ ,i m5tion$ ! ,i4,n4,s4 /ory4 8,7 y quot$ correctly on ! ,mantell case80 ,i ask$4 8,yes1 ,i 040 ,major ,boggs look$ me squ>ely 9 ! eye4 8,capta9 ,mantell 0 *as+ ! planet ,v5us40 ,x 0 s incr$ible t ,i %ook my head4 8,major1 ,v5us2 0 practically invisible t day4 ,we've *eck$ ) a/ronom]s4 ,is t ! (ficial ,air ,=ce answ]80 8,yes1 x is10 ,boggs said4 ,8 eyes nev] left my face4 ,i glanc$ across at ,g5]al ,sory ,smi?1 !n back at ! intellig5ce major4 8,t's a flat contradiction ( ,project #8,sauc]'s' report4 ,la/ ,april1 aft] !y _h *eck$ = fifte5 mon?s1 !y said positively x 0 n ,v5us4 ,x 0 /ill unid5tifi$40 ,boggs said1 9 a sl[1 unruffl$ voice1 8,!y re*eck$ aft] t report40 8,:y did !y re*eck1 aft] fifte5 mon?s80 ,i ask$ him4 8#8,!y mu/ h gone ov] ^? figures long be=e t1 = errors40 ,if my "q annoy$ him1 ,boggs gave no sign4 ,!re's no o!r possible answ]10 he said4 8,mantell 0 *as+ ,v5us40 ,,*apt] ,,xvii ,= a mom5t aft] ,boggs's la/ answ]1 ,i _h an impulse to end ! int]view4 ,i _h a feel+ ,i 0 fac+ a sph9x--a quiet1 c\rte\s sph9x 9 an ,air ,=ce uni=m4 ,i 0 sure n[ :y ,major ,j]ry ,boggs _h be5 *os5 = 8 job1 ! all-important connect+ l9k ) ! project at ,wright ,field4 ,no "o w\ld ev] cat* ?is man (f gu>d1 no matt] :at secret 0 giv5 him to conceal4 ,& x 0 m ?an ! result ( ,air ,=ce ,intellig5ce tra9+4 ,8 mann]1 8 voice c>ri$ conviction4 ,he w\ld h conv9c$ anyone :o _h n c>efully analyz$ ! ,godman ,field trag$y4 ,i made "o m attempt4 8,d ! ,godman ,field witnesses--,colonel ,hix & ! re/--believe ! ,v5us answ]80 8,i hav5't ask$ !m10 said ,boggs1 8s ,i c\ldn't say40 8,:at ab\t ! ,*iles-,:itt$ case80 ,i ask$4 8,y 7 quot$ z say+ !y saw a meteor--a bolide t explod$ 9 a %[] ( sp>ks40 8,t's "r10 said ,boggs4 8,& ,gorman 0 *as+ a light$ balloon80 ,aga9 ! ,intellig5ce major nodd$4 ,i po9t$1 out t all ?ree ( ! cases m5tion$ _h be5 li/$ z unid5tifi$ 9 ! ,april report4 8,!y'd _h ^? cases = mon?s10 ,i said4 8,:at new facts did !y le>n80 ,boggs said calmly1 8,!y j made a f9al analysis1 & ^? 7 ! answ]s40 ,we look$ at ea* o!r a mom5t4 ,major ,boggs pati5tly wait$4 ,i began to realize h[ a lawy] mu/ feel ) an imp]turbable witness4 ,& ,boggs's unfail+ c\rtesy began to make me emb>rass$4 8,major10 ,i said1 8,i hope y'll realize ?is is n a p]sonal matt]4 ,z an ,intellig5ce (fic]1 if y're told to give c]ta9 answ]s--0 ,he smil$ = ! fir/ "t4 8,t's all "r--b ,i'm n hid+ a ?+4 ,!re's j no su* ?+ z a fly+ sauc]1 s f> z we've f\nd out40 8,we've be5 told10 ,i said1 8t ,project #8,sauc]' isn't clos$--t y j *ang$ its code "n40 8,t's n s10 ,boggs said emphatically4 8,! contracts are end$1 & all p]sonnel transf]r$ to o!r duty40 8,!n ! ann\ncem5t wasn't caus$ by ,true's article80 ,bo? ,g5]al ,smi? & ,major ,jesse ,/ay %ook _! heads quickly4 ,boggs lean$ =w>d1 eye+ me e>ne/ly4 8,z a matt] ( fact1 we'd f9i%$ ! inve/igation mon?s ago--ar\nd ! end ( ,augu/1 or e>ly 9 ,septemb]4 ,we j hadn't got ar\nd to ann\nc+ x40 8,la/ ,octob]10 ,i said1 8,i 0 told ! inve/igation 0 /ill go+ on4 ,!y said !re 7 no new answ]s to ! cases j m5tion$40 8,! ,press ,bran* hadn't be5 in=m$ yet10 ,boggs expla9$ simply4 8,x seems v /range to me10 ,i said4 8,9 ,april1 ! ,air ,=ce call$ = vigilance by ! civilian population4 ,x said ! project 0 "y1 mu* ( its "w /ill "u way40 ,jesse ,/ay int]rupt$ be=e ,boggs c\ld reply4 8,don1 ! ,press ,bran* w h to take ! blame = t4 ,! report wasn't c>efully *eck$4 ,!re 7 sev]al loose /atem5ts 9 x40 ,?is 0 an incr$ible /atem5t4 ,i 0 sure ,jesse knew x4 8,b ! case reports y quot$ came f ,wright ,field4 ,z ( ,april tw5ty-sev5?1 #aidi1 all ! major cases 7 (ficially unsolv$4 ,!n 9 ,augu/ or e>ly ,septemb]1 ! :ole ?+'s clean$ up1 f :at ,major ,boggs says4 ,t's pretty h>d to believe40 ,no "o answ]$ t "o4 ,major ,boggs 0 wait+ politely = ! next "q4 ,i pick$ up my li/4 ,! re/ ( ! int]view 0 9 /raight "q-&-answ] /yle3 ,q4 ,d y "k ab\t ! ,:ite ,s&s sight+s 9 ,april #aidh8 ,! ones ,comm&] ,r4 ,b4 ,mc,laughlin has writt5 up8 ,a4 ,yes1 we *eck$ ! reports4 ,we j don't believe !m4 ,q4 ,"o ( ! witnesses 0 ,*>les ,b4 ,moore1 ! director ( ! ,navy cosmic-ray project at ,m9neapolis1 ,he's consid]$ a v reputable eng9e]4 ,did y "k he confirms ! fir/ report--! "o ab\t ! sauc] #ef miles up1 at a spe$ ( eighte5 ?\s& miles p] h\r4 ,a4 ,yes1 ,i knew ab\t him4 ,we ?9k he 0 mi/ak51 l ! o!rs4 ,q4 ,mr4 ,moore says x 0 absolutely sure x 0 n halluc9ation4 ,he says x %\ld be c>efully inve/igat$4 ,a4 ,we did inve/igate4 ,we j don't believe !y saw any?+4 ,q4 ,c\ld ,i see ! complete file on t case8 ,also on ,mantell1 ,gorman1 & ! ,ea/]n ,airl9es cases8 ,a4 ,t's out ( my prov9ce4 ,q4 ,if ,project 8,sauc]0 is end$1 !n all ! files %\ld be op5$4 ,a4 ,well1 ! summ>ies h be5 cle>$1 & y c see !m4 ,q4 ,no1 ,i mean ! actual files4 ,is !re any reason ,i %\ldn't see !m8 ,a4 ,!re'd be a lot ( mat]ial to se>* ?r\gh4 ,ea* case has a sep>ate book1 & "s ( !m are pretty bulky4 ,q4 ,!re 7 #gbb cases 9 all1 w]5't !re8 ,a4 ,no1 n[h]e ne> t4 ,q4 ,!n #cge is ! total figure--,i mean ! numb] ( cases ,project 8,sauc]0 li/$8 ,a4 ,!re 7 a few m--some?+ ov] f\r hundr$4 ,i don't "k ! exact figure4 ,q4 ,i've be5 told t ,project 8,sauc]0 _h ! ,air ,=ce put out a special ord] = pilots to *ase fly+ sauc]s4 ,is t "r8 ,a4 ,yes1 t's "r4 ,q4 ,did t include ,national ,gu>d pilots8 ,a4 ,yes1 x did4 ,:5 ! project fir/ />t$ *eck+ on sauc]s we 7 naturally anxi\s to get hold ( "o ( ! ?+s4 ,we told ! pilots to d practically any?+ 9 reason1 ev5 if !y _h to grab "o by ! tail4 ,q4 ,7 any ( ^? planes arm$8 ,a4 ,only if !y happ5$ to h guns = "s o!r mission1 l gunn]y practice4 ,q4 ,we've he>d ( "o case :]e fight]s *as$ a sauc] to a high altitude4 ,"o ( !m empti$ 8 guns at x4 ,a4 ,y mu/ mean t ,new ,j]sey affair4 ,! plane 0 arm$ = ano!r reason4 ,q4 ,no1 ,i meant a case report$ out at ,luke ,field4 ,?ree fight]s took (f1 if ! /ory s5t u is correct4 ,app>5tly x made q a commotion4 ,t 0 back 9 #aide4 ,a4 ,x might h happ5$4 ,i don't "k4 ,q4 ,:at 0 ?is ,new ,j]sey case8 ,a4 ,i'd r n discuss any m cases )\t hav+ ! books "h4 ,q4 ,has ,project 8,sauc]0 releas$ its secret pictures8 ,a4 ,:at pictures8 ,!re w]5't any t am\nt$ to any?+4 ,maybe half a doz54 ,!y didn't %[ any?+1 j spots on film or wea!r balloons at a di/ance4 ,q4 ,9 ! ,k5ne? ,arnold case1 didn't "s =e/ rang]s v]ify 8 report8 ,a4 ,well1 !re 7 "s p :o claim$ !y saw ! same disks4 ,b we f\nd out lat] !y'd he>d ab\t x on ! radio4 ,q4 ,didn't !y draw "s sket*es t mat*$ ,arnold's8 ,a4 ,i nev] he>d ab\t x4 ,q4 ,i'd l to g back to ! ,mantell case a second4 ,if ,v5us 0 s bright--rememb] ,mantell ?\ght x 0 a huge metallic object--:y didn't ! pilot :o made ! se>* lat] on-- ,a4 ,well1 x 0 ,v5us1 t's positive4 ,b ,i c't rememb] all ! details )\t ! case books4 ,q4 ,"o m "q1 ,major4 ,h any reports be5 receiv$ at ,wright ,field s9ce ,project 8,sauc]0 clos$8 ,!re 0 a case aft] t date1 an airl9] crew-- ,at ?is po9t1 ,major ,jesse ,/ay broke 94 8,x's all up to ! local comm&]s n[4 ,if !y want to receive reports ( any?+ unusual1 all "r4 ,& if !y want to inve/igate !m1 t's up to ea* comm&]4 ,b no ,project #8,sauc]' teams w *eck on reports4 ,t's all end$40 ,!re at ! la/1 x _h be5 a little4 l a c\rtroom sc5e1 & ,i 0 glad ! int]view 0 ov]4 ,major ,boggs 0 unruffl$ z ev]4 ,i apologiz$ = ! b>rage ( que/ions1 & ?ank$ him = be+ s dec5t ab\t x4 8,x 0 int]e/+1 gett+ y\r viewpo9t10 he said4 ,he smil$1 /ill ! c\rte\s sph9x1 & w5t on out4 ,aft] ,bogs _h left1 ,i talk$ ) ,g5]al ,smi? alone4 ,i told him ,i 0 n conv9c$1 8,i'd l to see ! complete files on ^! cases ,i m5tion$10 ,i expla9$4 8,also1 ,i'd l to talk ) ! la/ comm&+ (fic] or s5ior ,intellig5ce (fic] atta*$ to ,project #8,sauc]4'0 8,i'm n sure ab\t ! s5ior (fic]10 ,g5]al ,smi? answ]$4 8,he may h be5 deta*$ already4 ,b ,i don't see any reason :y y c't see ^? files4 ,i'll phone ,wright ,field & call y40 ,i 0 ab\t to leave1 b he motion$ = me to sit d[n4 8,i c und]/& h[ y feel ab\t ! ,mantell report10 ,g5]al ,smi? said e>ne/ly4 8,i knew ,tommy ,mantell v well4 ,& ,colonel ,hix is a classmate ( m9e4 ,i knew nei!r "o 0 ! k9d to h halluc9ations4 ,t case got me1 at fir/40 8,y believe ,v5us is ! true answ]80 ,i ask$ him4 ,he seem$ surpris$4 8,x mu/ be1 if ,wright ,field says s40 ,:5 ,i w5t back to ! ,press ,bran*1 ,i ask$ ,jack ,%ea = ! case-report summ>ies t ,boggs _h m5tion$1 ,he got !m = me--two collections ( loose-leaf mimeograph$ %eets enclos$ 9 black b9d]s4 ,s ^! 7 ! 8secret files06 ,across ! hall1 9 ! press room1 ,i op5$ "o book at r&om4 ,! fir/ ?+ ,i saw 0 ?is3 8,a meteorologi/ %\ld compute ! approximate en]gy requir$ to evaporate z mu* cl\d z %[n 9 ! incid5t #bf photographs40 ,photographs4 ,major ,boggs _h said !re 7 no important pictures4 ,i tuck$ ! b9d]s "u my arm & w5t out to my c>4 ,p]haps ^! books h9t$ at m ?an ,boggs _h realiz$4 ,b t didn't seem likely4 ,z liaison man1 he %\ld "k all ! answ]s4 ,i 0 almo/ positive t he did4 ,b ,i 0 equally sure !y w]5't ! answ]s he _h giv5 me4 ,,*apt] ,,xviii ,t night ,i w5t ?r\gh ! ,project 8,sauc]0 summ>y ( cases4 ,x 0 a /range exp]i5ce4 ,! fir/ report ,i *eck$ 0 ! ,mantell case4 ,no?+ t ,boggs _h said _h *ang$ my firm op9ion4 ,i knew ! answ] 0 n ,v5us1 & ,i 0 c]ta9 ,boggs knew x1 too4 ,! ,godman ,field incid5t 0 li/$ z ,case #cc4 ,! report also t\*es on ! ,lockb\rne ,air ,base sight+4 ,z already describ$1 ! same my/]i\s object1 or a simil> "o1 0 se5 mov+ at five hundr$ miles an h\r ov] ,lockb\rne ,field4 ,x 0 also sight$ at o!r po9ts 9 ,ohio4 ,! v fir/ s5t5ce 9 ,case #cc %[$ a det]m9$ attempt to expla9 away ! object t ,mantell *as$3 8,detail$ att5tion %\ld be giv5 to any possible a/ronomical body or ph5om5on :i* might s]ve to id5tify ! object or objects40 7,"s ( ! f9al ,project report on ,mantell has be5 giv5 9 an e>li] *apt]4 ,i am repeat+ a few p>agraphs bel[1 to help 9 weigh+ ,major ,boggs's answ]47 ,^! are (ficial /atem5ts ( ! ,project a/ronom]3 8,on ,janu>y #g1 #aidh1 ,v5us 0 less ?an half its full brilliance4 ,h[ev]1 "u exceptionally good atmosph]ic conditions1 & ) ! eye %ield$ f ! direct rays ( ! sun1 ,v5us might be se5 z an exce$+ly t9y bright po9t ( light4 ,x is possible to see x 9 daytime :5 "o kn[s exactly :]e to look4 ,( c\rse1 ! *ances ( look+ at ! "r spot are v few4 8,x has be5 un(ficially report$ t ! object 0 a ,navy cosmic ray balloon4 ,if ?is c be e/abli%$ x is to be pref]r$ z an explanation4 ,h[ev]1 if reports f o!r localities ref] to ! same object1 any su* device mu/ h be5 a good _m miles high--#be to #ej--;9 ord] to h be5 se5 cle>ly1 almo/ simultane\sly1 f places #age miles ap>t40 ,?is absolutely rul$ out ! balloon possibility1 z ! inve/igator fully realiz$4 ,t he mu/ h consid]$ ! space-%ip answ] at ?is po9t is /rongly indicat$ 9 ! foll[+ s5t5ce3 8,if all reports 7 ( a s+le object1 9 ! k ( ?is inve/igator no man-made object c\ld h be5 l>ge en\gh & f> en\gh away = ! approximate simultane\s sight+s40 ,! next p>agraph ( ?is ,project 8,sauc]0 report practically nullifi$ ,major ,boggs's /atem5t t ,v5us 0 ! sole explanation3 8,x is mo/ unlikely1 h[ev]1 t s _m sep>ate p]sons %\ld at t "t h *anc$ on ,v5us 9 ! daylight sky4 ,x seems !re=e mu* m probable t m ?an "o object 0 involv$4 ,! sight+ might h includ$ two or m balloons 7or aircraft7 or !y might h includ$ ,v5us 79 ! fatal *ase7 & balloons4 4 4 4 ,su* a hypo!sis1 h[ev]1 does /ill necessitate ! inclusion ( at lea/ two o!r objects ?an ,v5us1 & x c]ta9ly is co9cid5tal t s _m p w\ld h *os5 ?is "o day to be confus$ 7to ! ext5t ( report+ ! matt]7 by normal airborne objects4 4 4 40 ,f>!r on 9 ! summ>ies1 ,i f\nd a report t has an extremely significant be>+ on ! ,mantell case4 ,?is 0 ,case #age1 9 :i* ! same consultant attempts to expla9 a /range daylight sight+ at ,santa ,fe1 ,new ,mexico4 ,"o ( ! ,santa ,fe obs]v]s describ$ ! my/]i\s a]ial object z r\nd & extremely bright1 8l a dime 9 ! sky40 ,"h is :at ! ,project 8,sauc]0 inve/igator _h to say3 8,! magnitude ( ,v5us 0 -#c4h 7approximately ! same z on ,janu>y #g1 #aidh74 x c\ld h be5 visible 9 ! daylight sky4 ,x w\ld h appe>$1 h[ev]1 m l a p9po9t ( brilliant light ?an #8l a dime 9 ! sky4' ,x seems unlikely t x w\ld be notic$ at all4 4 4 4 ,consid]+ discrepancies 9 ! two reports1 ,i sugge/ ! moon 9 a gibb\s phase2 9 daytime ?is is unusual & mo/ p are n us$ to x1 s t !y fail to id5tify x4 ,:ile ?is hypo!sis has little to correspond to ei!r report1 x is wor? m5tion+4 8,x seems f> m probable t "s type ( balloon 0 ! object 9 ?is case40 ,bo? ! ,godman ,field & ! ,santa ,fe cases 7 almo/ id5tical1 s f> z ! visibility ( ,v5us 0 conc]n$4 ,9 ! ,santa ,fe case1 :i* _h v little publicity1 ,project 8,sauc]0 dropp$ ! ,v5us explanation z a practically impossible answ]4 ,b 9 ,case #cc1 x _h tri$ desp]ately to make ,v5us loom up z a huge gleam+ object dur+ ,mantell's fatal *ase4 ,!re 0 only "o explanation3 ,project 8,sauc]0 mu/ h kn[n ! tru? f ! />t-t ,mantell _h pursu$ a trem5d\s space %ip4 ,t fact alone1 if x _h explod$ 9 ! headl9es at t "t1 might h caus$ dang]\s panic4 ,to make x worse1 ,capta9 ,mantell _h be5 kill$4 ,ev5 if he _h actually di$ f black+ out :ile try+ to foll[ ! swiftly asc5d+ space %ip1 few w\ld h believ$ x4 ,! /ory w\ld spread l wildfire3 ,spacem5 kill an ,am]ican ,air ,=ce ,pilot6 ,?is expla9$ ! tight lid t _h be5 clamp$ d[n at once on ! ,mantell case4 ,x 0 m ?an a ye> be=e t policy _h be5 *ang$2 !n ! fir/ (ficial discussions ( possible space visitors _h begun to appe>4 ,true's plans to ann\nce ! int]planet>y answ] w\ld h fitt$ a program ( prep>+ ! p4 ,b ! ,air ,=ce _h n expect$ su* nation-wide reaction f ,true's article2 t mu* ,i knew4 ,evid5tly1 !y _h n suspect$ su* a detail$ analysis ( ! ,godman ,field case1 9 p>ticul>4 ,i c\ld see n[ :y ,boggs1 ,jesse ,/ay1 & ! o!rs _h tri$ s h>d to conv9ce me t we _h made a mi/ake4 ,x 0 q possible t we _h reviv$ t fir/ ,air ,=ce fe> ( dang]\s publicity4 ,b ,mantell _h be5 dead = two ye>s4 ,news /ories w\ld n h ! same impact n[1 ev5 if !y did report t spacem5 _h d[n$ ! pilot4 ,& ,i d\bt$ t !re w\ld be headl9es4 ,unless ! ,air ,=ce suppli$ "s conv9c+ details1 ! mann] ( 8 dea? w\ld /ill be speculation4 ,app>5tly ,i _h be5 "r2 ?is case 0 ! key to ! riddle4 ,x _h be5 ! fir/ major sight+ 9 #aidh4 ,project 8,sauc]0 _h be5 />t$ imm$iately aft]w>d4 ,9 se>*+ = a plausible answ]1 :i* c\ld be publi%$ if ne$$1 (ficials _h probably set ! patt]n = h&l+ all o!r reports1 8,expla9+ away0 w\ld be a logical program1 until ! public c\ld be prep>$ = an (ficial ann\ncem5t4 ,z ,i w5t ?r\gh o!r case reports1 ,i f\nd increas+ evid5ce to back up ?is belief4 ,case #a1 ! ,muroc ,air ,base sight+s1 _h pla9ly baffl$ ,project m5 seek+ a plausible answ]4 ,because ( ! ,air ,=ce witnesses1 !y c\ld n ignore ! reports4 ,highly tra9$ ,air ,=ce te/ pilots & gr\nd (fic]s _h se5 two fa/-mov+ silv]-color$ disks circl+ ov] ! base4 ,fly+ at spe$s ( f ?ree to f\r hundr$ miles an h\r1 ! disks :irl$ 9 amaz+ly tight maneuv]s4 ,s9ce !y 7 only eight ?\s& feet above ! field1 ^! turns c\ld be cle>ly se54 8,x is tempt+ to expla9 ! object z ord9>y aircraft obs]v$ "u unusual light conditions10 ! case report reads4 8,b ! evid5ce ( tight circles1 if ma9ta9$1 is /rongly contradictory40 ,al?\gh ,case #a 0 te*nically 9 ! 8unexpla9$0 gr\p1 ,wright ,field _h made a f9al ef=t to expla9 away ! reports4 ,said ! ,air ,mat]iel ,comm&3 8,! sight+s 7 ! result ( mis9t]pretation ( real /imuli1 probably rese>* balloons40 ,9 all ! _w's hi/ory1 !re is no record ( a ?ree-hundr$-mile-an-h\r w9d4 ,to cov] ! di/ance involv$1 ! drift+ balloons w\ld h _h to move at ?is spe$1 or fa/]4 ,if a ?ree-hundr$-mile w9d _h be5 bl[+ at eight ?\s& feet1 no?+ on e>? c\ld h /ood x1 ,muroc ,air ,base w\ld h be5 bl[n (f ! map4 ,:at did ! ,muroc te/ pilots really see t day8 ,:ile se>*+ = ! ,*iles-,:itt$ report1 ran across ! ,fairfield ,suisan my/]y-light case1 :i* ,i _h le>n$ ab\t 9 ,seattle4 ,?is 0 ,case #bae4 ,! ,project 8,sauc]0 comm5t reads3 8,if ! obs]vations 7 exactly z /at$ by ! witnesses1 ! ball ( light c\ld n be a fireball4 4 4 4 ,a fireball w\ld n h come into view at #a1jjj feet & ris5 to #bj1jjj4 ,if correct1 !re is no a/ronomical explanation4 ,"u unusual conditions1 a fireball might appe> to rise some:at z a result ( p]spective4 ,! abs5ce ( trail & s\nd def9itely does n favor ! meteor hypo!sis1 b 4 4 4 does n rule x out f9ally4 ,x does n seem likely any meteor or auroral ph5om5on c\ld be z bright z ?is40 ,!n came "o ( ! mo/ reveal+ l9es 9 all ! case reports3 8,9 ! almo/ hopeless abs5ce ( any o!r natural explanation1 "o mu/ consid] ! possibility ( ! object's hav+ be5 a meteor1 ev5 ?\gh ! description does n fit v well40 ,"o air-base (fic]1 ,i recall$1 _h insi/$ t ! object _h be5 a light$ balloon4 ,*eck+ ! secret report f ! ,air ,wea!r ,s]vice1 ,i f\nd ?is3 8,case #b #ae4 ,v high w9ds1 #fj-gj miles p] h\r f s\?we/1 all levels4 ,def9itely prohibits any balloon f s\!rly motion40 ,?is case is (ficially li/$ z answ]$4 ,9 ,case #ai1 :]e a cig>-%ap$ object 0 se5 at ,dayton1 ,ohio1 ! ,project inve/igator made a valiant attempt to fit an answ]3 8,possibly a close pair ( fireballs1 b x seems unlikely4 ,if "o 7 to /ret* ! description to its v limits & make all[ances = untra9$ obs]v]s1 he c\ld say t ! cig>-l %ape might h be5 illusion caus$ by rapid motion1 & t ! bright sunlight might h made bo? ! objects & ! trails ne>ly invisible4 8,?is inve/igator does n pref] t int]polation1 & x %\ld he resort$ to only if all o!r possible explanations fail40 ,?is case1 too1 is (ficially li/$ z answ]$4 ,case #bd1 :i* occurr$ ,june #ab1 #aidg1 twelve days be=e ! ,arnold sight+1 %[s ! same det]m9$ attempt to f9d an explanation1 no matt] h[ f>fet*$4 ,9 ?is case1 two fa/-mov+ objects 7 se5 at ,weis]1 ,idaho1 ,twice !y approa*$ ! e>?1 !n swiftly circl$ upw>d4 ,! ,project inve/igator tri$ h>d to prove t ^! might h be5 p>ts ( a d\ble fireball4 ,b at ! end1 he said1 8,9 spite ( all ?is1 ?is inve/igator w\ld pref] a t]re/rial explanation = ! incid5t40 ,x 0 pla9 t ?is report _h n be5 plann$ orig9ally = release to ! public4 ,no ,project inve/igator w\ld h be5 s frank4 ,) ea* new report1 ,i 0 m & m conv9c$ t ^! _h be5 confid5tial discussions ( v>i\s possible answ]s1 circulat$ betwe5 ,project 8,sauc]0 (ficials4 ,:y !y _h be5 releas$ n[ 0 /ill a puzzle1 ?\gh ,i began to see a glimm] ( ! answ]4 ,! ,*iles-,:itt$ sight+ 0 li/$ z ,case #add4 ,z ,i />t$ on ! report1 ,i wond]$ if ,major ,boggs's 8bolide0 answ] w\ld h any m f\ndation ?an ^! o!r 8a/ronomical0 cases4 ,! report began ) ^! words3 8,!re is no a/ronomical explanation1 if we accept ! report at face value4 ,b ! %e] improbability ( ! facts z /at$1 p>ticul>ly 9 ! abs5ce ( any kn[n aircraft 9 ! vic9ity1 makes x necess>y to see :e!r any o!r explanation1 ev5 ?\gh f>fet*$1 c be consid]$40 ,aft] ?is c&id admission ( 8 int5tions1 ! ,project consultant e>ne/ly attempts to fit ! two pilots' space %ip description to a sl[-mov+ meteor4 8,x w h to be left to ! psy*ologi/s10 he goes on1 8to tell u :e!r ! imm$iate trail ( a bright meteor c\ld produce ! subjective impression ( a %ip ) light$ w9d[s4 ,consid]+ only ! ,*iles-,:itt$ sight+1 ! hypo!sis seems v improbable40 ,z ,i m5tion$ 9 an e>li] *apt]1 obs]v]s at ,robb9s ,air ,=ce ,base1 ,macon1 ,georgia1 saw ! same my/]i\s object /reak ov]head1 trail+ v>icolor$ flames4 ,?is 0 ab\t "o h\r be=e ,*iles & ,:itt$ saw ! onru%+ space %ip4 ,to bol/] up ! meteor !ory1 ! ,project consultant sugge/s a "o-h\r error 9 "t4 ,! explanation3 ,! airl9] w\ld be on daylight-sav+ "t4 8,if !re is no "t diff]5ce10 he proce$s1 8!4 object mu/ h be5 an extraord9>y meteor4 4 4 4 9 :i* case x w\ld h cov]$ ! di/ance f ,macon to ,montgom]y 9 a m9ute or two40 ,hav+ *eck$ ! "t angle be=e1 ,i knew ?is 0 incorrect4 ,bo? reports 7 giv5 9 ea/]n /&>d "t4 ,& 9 a lat] "p ( ! ,project report1 ! consultant admits ?is fact4 ,b he has an alt]nate answ]3 8,if ! diff]5ce 9 "t is real1 ! object 0 "s =m ( kn[n aircraft1 reg>dless ( its biz>re nature40 ,! 8biz>re nature0 is n specifi$4 ,nor does ! ,project 8,sauc]0 report try to fit ! ,robb9s ,field description to any e>?-made aircraft4 ,! air-base obs]v]s 7 /ruck by ! object's huge size1 its projectile-l %ape1 & ! weird flames trail+ beh9d4 ,except = ! d\ble-deck w9d[s1 ! air-base m5's description talli$ ) ! pilots'4 ,) ! %ip at five ?\s& feet or high]1 its w9d[s w\ld n h be5 visible f ! gr\nd4 ,all ! obs]v]s agre$ on ! object's v high spe$4 ,nei!r ( ! ,project 8,sauc]0 alt]nate answ]s w fit ! facts4 #a4 ,! "o-h\r int]val has be5 prov$ correct4 ,!re=e1 z ! ,project consultant admits1 x c\ld n be a meteor4 #b4 ,! ,robb9s ,field witnesses h flatly d5i$ x 0 a conv5tional plane4 ,! ,air ,=ce scre5$ #bbe airplane s*$ules1 & prov$ !re 0 no su* plane 9 ! area4 ,no ord9>y aircraft w\ld h caus$ ! brilliant /reak t />tl$ ! ,,dc-#c pass5g] & bo? ( ! pilots4 ,major ,boggs's bolide answ] _h gone ! way ( 8 ,v5us explanation4 ,i wond]$ if ! ,gorman light-balloon solution w\ld fade out ! same way4 ,b ! ,project report on ,gorman 7,case #agb7 m]ely h9t$ at ! balloon answ]4 ,9 ! ,app5dix1 !re 0 a brief comm5t3 8,note t /&>d #cj in* & #fe in* wea!r balloons h v]tical spe$s ( #fjj & #aajj feet p] m9ute1 respectively40 ,9 all ! reports ,i h m5tion$1 & on ?r\gh bo? ! case books1 "o ?+ 0 imm$iately obvi\s4 ,all ! te/imony1 all ! actual evid5ce 0 miss+4 ,^! 7 only ! decl>$ conclusions ( ,project 8,sauc]40 ,:e!r !y mat*$ ! actual conclusions 9 ,wright ,field secret files !re 0 no way ( kn[+4 ,b ev5 9 ^! sket* reports1 ,i f\nd "s odd h9ts1 clues to :at ,project (ficials might really be ?9k+4 ,aft] an analysis ( two ,indianapolis cases1 "o inve/igator reports3 8,b>r+ halluc9ation1 ^! two incid5ts & #ag1 #ge & #hd seem ! mo/ tangible f ! /&po9t ( description1 ( all ^? report$1 & ! mo/ difficult to expla9 away z %e] nons5se40 ,case #ag1 ,i f\nd1 0 t ( ,k5ne? ,arnold4 ,b 9 spite ( ! above admission t ?is case _c be expla9$ away1 x is (ficially li/$ z answ]$4 ,case #ge /ruck a famili> note4 ,?is 0 ! /range occurr5ce at ,tw9 ,falls1 ,idaho1 on :i* ,true _h _h a tip mon?s be=e4 ,a disk mov+ ?r\gh a canyon at trem5d\s spe$ _h :ipp$ ! treetops z if by a viol5t hurricane4 ,! report 0 brief1 b "o s5t5ce /ood out ) a />tl+ effect3 8,tw9 ,falls1 ,idaho1 ,augu/ #ac1 #ahdg10 ! report began4 8,!re is cle>ly no?+ a/ronomical 9 ?is incid5t4 4 4 4 ,two po9ts /& out1 ! sky-blue color1 & ! fact t ! trees #8spun ar\nd on top z if !y 7 9 a vacuum4'0 ,!n came ! s5t5ce t made me sit up 9 my *air4 8,app>5tly x mu/ be class$ ) ! o!r bona fide disk sight+s40 ,! o!r bona fide sight+s6 ,0 ?is a slip8 ,or _h ! ,air ,=ce delib]ately left ?is report 9 ! file8 ,if !y _h1 :at 0 back ( x--:at 0 back ( releas+ all ( ^! telltale case summ>ies8 ,i skimm$ ?r\gh ! re/ z quickly z possible look+ = o!r clues4 ,"h are a few ( ! ?+s t4 caught my eye3 ,case #aj4 ,unit$ ,airl9es report 4 4 4 despite conjectures1 no logical explanation seems possible4 4 4 4 ,case #abb4 ,holloman ,air ,=ce ,base1 ,april #f1 #aidh4 ,?is 0 ! ,comm&] ,mc,laughlin ,:ite ,s&s report4 ,no logical explanation4 4 4 4 ,case #abd4 ,nor? ,atlantic1 ,april #ah1 #aidh 4 4 4 rad> sight+ 4 4 4 no a/ronomical explanation4 4 4 4 ,case #abg4 ,yugoslav-,greek fronti]1 ,may #g1 #aidh 4 4 4 in=mation too limit$4 4 4 4 ,case #afh4 ,arnheim1 ,! ,hague1 ,july #bj1 #aidh 4 4 4 object se5 f\r times 4 4 4 _h two decks & no w+s 4 4 4 v high spe$ comp>able to a ,v-#b4 4 4 4 ,case #ahc4 ,japan1 ,octob] #ae1 #aidh4 ,rad> exp]ts %\ld det]m9e accel]ation rates4 4 4 4 ,case #ahh4 ,goose ,bay1 ,labrador1 ,octob] #bi1 #aidh4 ,n a/ronomical 4 4 4 pick$ up by rad> 4 4 4 rad> exp]ts %\ld evaluate ! sight+s 4 4 4 4 ,case #ahi4 ,goose ,bay1 ,labrador1 ,octob] #ca1 #aidh 4 4 4 n a/ronomical 4 4 4 obs]v$ on rad>scope4 4 4 4 ,case #aif4 ,rad>scope obs]vation 4 4 4 object travel+ directly into ! w9d4 4 4 4 ,case #aih4 ,rad> blimp mov+ at high spe$ & cont9u\sly *ang+ direction4 4 4 4 ,case #bbb4 ,fur/5feldbruck1 ,g]many1 ,novemb] #bc1 #aidh 4 4 4 object plott$ by rad> ,,df at #bg1jjj feet 4 4 4 %ort "t lat] circl+ at #dj1jjj feet 4 4 4 spe$ e/imat$ #bjj-ejj m4p4h4 4 4 4 ,case #bbc 4 4 4 sev5te5 individuals saw & report$ object 4 4 4 gre5 fl>e 4 4 4 all comm]cial & gov]nm5t airfield que/ion$ 4 4 4 no success4 4 4 4 ,case #bbd4 ,las ,vegas1 ,new ,mexico1 ,decemb] #h1 #aidh 4 4 4 description exactly z 9 #bbc 4 4 4 fl>e report$ travel+ v high spe$ 4 4 4 v accurate obs]vation made by two ,f4,b4,i4 ag5ts4 4 4 4 ,case #bca 4 4 4 ano!r gl[+ gre5 fl>e j z describ$ above4 4 4 4 ,case #bcc 4 4 4 def9itely no balloon 4 4 4 made turns 4 4 4 accel]at$ f #bjj to #ejj miles p] h\r 4 4 4 4 ,go+ back ov] ?is gr\p ( cases1 ,i made an incr$ible discov]y3 ,all b ?ree ( ^! unsolv$ cases 7 (ficially li/$ z answ]$4 ,! ?ree 7 ! ,unit$ ,airl9es case1 ! ,:ite ,s&s sight+s1 & ! d\ble-deck$ space-%ip report f ,! ,hague4 ,go+ back to ! fir/ report1 ,i *eck$ all ! summ>ies4 ,n9e times out ( t51 ! explanations 7 pure conjecture4 ,sometimes no answ] 0 ev5 attempt$4 ,al?\gh #cge cases 7 m5tion$1 ! summ>ies end$ ) ,case #bdd4 ,sev]al cases 7 omitt$4 ,i f\nd clues to "s ( ^! 9 ! secret ,air ,wea!r ,s]vice report1 includ+ ! my/]i\s 8gre5 light0 sight+s at ,las ,vegas & ,albuqu]que4 ,( ! rema9+ #bbh cases1 ,project 8,sauc]0 li/s all b #cd z expla9$4 ,^! unsolv$ cases are br\ght up aga9 = a f9al attempt at expla9+ !m away4 ,9 ! app5dix1 ! ,air ,mat]iel ,comm& c>efully /ates3 8,x is n ! int5t to discr$it ! "* ( obs]v]s1 b ea* case has undesirable elem5ts & ^! c't be disreg>d$40 ,aft] ?is p]functory ge/ure1 ! ,a4,m4,c4 proce$s to discr$it completely ! te/imony ( highly tra9$ ,air ,=ce te/ pilots & (fic]s at ,muroc4 7,! #cjj-djj m4p4h4 rese>* balloon explanation47 ,! ,a4,m4,c4 !n bru%es (f ! report ( ,capta9 ,emil ,smi? & ! crew ( a ,unit$ ,airl9e plane4 ,on ,july #d1 #aidg1 n9e huge fly+ disks 7 c\nt$ by ,capta9 ,smi? & 8 crew4 ,! /range objects 7 9 sight = ab\t twelve m9utes2 ! crew wat*$ !m = ! entire p]iod & describ$ !m 9 detail lat]4 ,despite ,project 8,sauc]'s0 admission t x _h no answ]1 ! ,a4,m4,c4 contriv$ "o4 ,ignor+ ! evid5ce ( vet]an airl9e pilots1 x said3 8,s9ce ! sight+ occurr$ at sunset1 :5 illusory effect are mo/ likely1 ! objects c\ld h be5 ord9>y aircraft1 balloons1 birds1 or pure illusion40 ,9 only ?ree cases did ! ,a4,m4,c4 admit x _h no answ]4 ,ev5 "h1 x 0 impli$ t ! witnesses 7 ei!r confus$ or incompet5t4 ,9 its press release ( ,decemb] #bg1 #aidi1 ! ,air ,=ce _h m5tion$ #cge cases4 ,x impli$ t all ( ^! 7 answ]$4 ,! tru? 0 j ! rev]se1 z 0 prov$ by ^! case books4 ,almo/ two hundr$ cases /ill 7 %[n to be unsolv$-al?\gh ! real answ]s might be hidd5 9 ,wright ,field files4 ,^! two black books puzzl$ me4 ,:y _h ! ,air ,=ce lift$ its secrecy on ^! case summ>ies8 ,:y _h ,major ,boggs giv5 me ^? answ]s1 :5 ^! books w\ld flatly refute !m8 ,i ?\ght ,i new ! reason n[ b !re 0 only "o way to make sure4 ,! actual ,wright ,field files %\ld tell ! answ]4 ,:5 ,i phon$ ,g5]al ,sory ,smi?1 8 voice s\nd$ a little peculi>4 8,i call$ ,wright ,field10 he said4 8,b !y said y w\ldn't f9d any?+ ( value out !re40 8,y mean !y refus$ to let me see _! files80 8,no1 ,i didn't say t4 ,b !y're %ort ( p]sonnel4 ,!y don't want to take p (f o!r jobs to look up ! records40 8,i won't ne$ any help10 ,i said4 8,major ,boggs said ea* case _h a sep>ate book4 ,if !y'd j %[ me ! %elves1 ,i c\ld d ! job 9 two days40 ,!re 0 a long sil5ce4 8,i'll ask !m aga910 ! ,g5]al said f9ally4 8,call me sometime next week40 ,i said ,i w\ld1 & hung up4 ,! message f ,wright ,field hadn't surpris$ me4 ,b ,smi?'s *ang$ mann] did4 ,he _h s\nd$ oddly di/urb$4 ,:ile ,i 0 wait+ = ,wright ,field's answ]1 ,k5 ,purdy phon$4 ,he told me t /aff m5 f ,"t & ,life magaz9es 7 s]i\sly *eck+ on ! 8little m50 /ory4 ,bo? ,purdy & ,i 7 sure ?is 0 a colossal hoax1 b !re 0 j a fa9t *ance t someone _h be5 on ! fr+e ( a real happ5+ & _h made up ! re/ ( ! /ory4 ,!y key man 9 ! /ory seem$ to be "o ,george ,koehl]1 ( ,d5v]1 ,colorado4 ,! morn+ aft] ,purdy call$1 ,i took a plane to ,d5v]4 ,dur+ ! flight ,i w5t ov] ! 8little m50 /ory aga94 ,x _h be5 pr9t$ 9 ov] a hundr$ pap]s4 ,accord+ to ! usual v]sion1 ,george ,koehl] _h accid5tally le>n$ ( two cra%$ sauc]s at a rad> /ation on our s\?we/ bord]4 ,! %ips 7 made ( "s /range metal4 ,! cab9 0 /ation>y1 plac$ )9 a l>ge rotat+ r+4 ,"h is ! /ory z x 0 told 9 ! ,kansas ,city ,/>3 ,9 flight1 ! r+ revolv$ at a high rate ( spe$1 :ile ! cab9 rema9$ /ation>y l ! c5t] ( a gyroscope4 ,ea* ( ! two %ips se5 by ,koehl] 7 occupi$ by a crew ( two4 ,9 ! badly damag$ %ip1 ^! bodies 7 *>r$ s badly t little c\ld be le>n$ f !m4 ,! occupants ( ! o!r %ip1 :ile dead :5 !y 7 f\nd1 7 n burn$ or disfigur$1 &1 :5 ,koehl] saw !m1 7 9 a p]fect /ate ( pres]vation4 ,m$ical reports1 accord+ to ,koehl]1 %[$ t ^! m5 7 almo/ id5tical ) e>?-dwell+ humans1 except = a few m9or diff]5ces4 ,!y 7 ( a uni=m height ( ?ree feet1 7 uni=mly blond1 be>dless1 & _! tee? 7 completely free ( fill+s or cavities4 ,!y did n we> und]g>m5ts1 b _h _! bodies tap$4 ,! %ips seem$ to be magnetically controll$ & p[]$4 ,9 addition to a piece ( metal1 ,koehl] _h a clock or automatic cal5d> tak5 f "o ( ! crafts4 ,koehl] said t ! be/ assumption z to ! s\rce ( ! %ips 0 ! planet ,v5us4 ,:5 ,i arriv$ at ,d5v]1 ,i w5t to ! radio /ation :]e ,koehl] work$4 ,i told him t if he _h pro( t we c\ld pr9t1 we w\ld buy ! /ory4 ,z ! fir/ sub/antial pro(1 ,i ask$ to see ! piece ( /range metal he 0 suppos$ to h4 ,koehl] said x _h be5 s5t to ano!r city to be analyz$4 ,i ask$ to see pictures ( ! cra%$ sauc]s4 ,^!1 too1 prov$ to be some:]e else4 ,s did ! que] 8space clock0 t ,koehl] 0 said to h4 ,by ?is "t ,i 0 sure x 0 all a gag4 ,i _h ! feel+ t ,koehl]1 back ( 8 mann] ( seem+ indignation at my dem&s1 0 hugely enjoy+ himself4 ,i cut ! int]view %ort & call$ ,k5 ,purdy 9 ,new ,york4 8,well1 ?ank ,god t's laid to re/10 he said :5 ,i told him4 ,b ev5 ?\gh ! 8little m50 /ory _h turn$ out-z expect$--a dud1 ,koehl] _h done me a good turn4 ,an old fri5d1 ,william ,e4 ,b>rett1 well-kn[n fiction writ]1 n[ liv$ 9 ,d5v]4 ,?anks to ,koehl]'s gag1 ,i _h a pleasant visit ) ,bill & 8 family4 ,on ! trip back1 ,i b\ght a pap] at ! ,*icago airport4 ,on an inside page ,i ran across ,koehl]'s "n4 ,accord+ to ! ,a4,p41 he _h j admitt$ ! :ole ?+ 0 a big joke4 ,b 9 spite ( ?is1 ! 8little m50 /ory goes on & on4 ,app>5tly n ev5 ,koehl] c /op x n[4 ,,*apt] ,,xix ,= two weeks aft] my return to ,wa%+ton1 ,g5]al ,sory ,smi? held (f a f9al answ] ab\t my trip to ,wright ,field4 ,meantime1 ,k5 ,purdy _h call$ him back+ my reque/ to see ! ,project files4 ,x 0 obvi\s to me t ,wright ,field 0 det]m9$ n to op5 ! files4 ,b ! ,g5]al 0 try+ to avoid mak+ x (ficial4 8,:y c't y accept my ^w !re's no?+ to ! sauc]s80 he ask$ me "o day4 8,y're impea*+ my p]sonal v]acity40 ,b f9ally he saw !re 0 no o!r way out4 ,he told me ,i _h be5 (ficially refus$ p]mission to see ! ,wright ,field files4 ,"s "t lat]1 ,k5 ,purdy phon$ ,g5]al ,smi?4 8,g5]al1 if ! ,air ,=ce wants to talk to u (f ! record1 we'll play ball4 ,true w ei!r h&le x f !n on :atev] way y ?9k be/ or we'll keep /ill40 ,:e!r ?is (f] 0 relay$ high] up1 ,i don't "k4 ,b no?+ came ( x4 ,meantime1 sauc] reports _h begun to come 9 f all ov] ! c\ntry4 ,"s ev5 came f abroad4 ,"s ( ^! #aiej sight+s h already be5 m5tion$ 9 e>ly *apt]s4 ,besides ! /range affair at ,tucson on ,febru>y #a1 !re 7 sev]al o!r cases 9 ,febru>y4 ,?ree ( ^! 7 9 ,s\? ,am]ica4 ,"o sauc] 0 report$ ne> ! naval air /ation at ,alam$a1 ,cali=nia4 ,"s 7 sight$ 9 ,texas1 ,new ,mexico1 & o!r p>ts ( ! ,s\?we/4 ,9 ,m>*1 ! wave ( sight+s rea*$ su* a height t ! ,air ,=ce aga9 d5i$ ! sauc]s' exi/5ce4 ,?is foll[$ a report t a fly+ disk _h cra%$ ne> ,mexico ,city & t ! wreckage _h be5 view$ by ,u4 ,s4 ,air ,=ce (ficials4 ,scores ( ,orangeburg1 ,s\? ,c>ol9a1 resid5ts wat*$ a disk t hov]$ ov] t city on ,m>* #aj4 ,x 0 describ$ z silv]-bright1 turn+ sl[ly 9 ! air be=e x disappe>$4 ,! day be=e ?is1 resid5ts ( ,van ,nuys1 ,cali=nia1 saw a bright disk mov+ swiftly f\r hundr$ feet 9 ! air4 ,se5 ?r\gh a telescope1 x appe>$ to be fifty feet 9 diamet]4 ,disks 7 report$ at num]\s places 9 ,mexico1 includ+ ,guadalaj>a1 ,jurez1 ,mazatln1 & ,durango4 ,on ! twelf? ( ,m>*1 ! crew & pass5g]s ( an ,am]ican ,airl9es %ip saw a l>ge gleam+ disk high above ,mont]rey airport 9 ,mexico4 ,capta9 ,w4 ,r4 ,hunt1 ! s5ior airl9e pilot1 wat*$ ! disk ?r\gh a !odolite at ! airport4 ,?is disk & mo/ ( ! o!rs se5 9 ,mexico 7 simil> 9 description to ! "o sight$ at ,dayton1 ,ohio1 on ,m>* #h4 ,?is 0 ! l>ge metallic sauc] t hov]$ high ov] ,v&alia ,airport1 until ,air ,=ce & ,national ,gu>d fight]s rac$ up aft] x4 ,! disk rose v]tically into ! sky at incr$ible spe$1 hov]$ a :ile long]1 & !n vani%$4 ,)9 tw5ty-f\r h\rs ?is my/]y disk _h be5 8id5tifi$0 z ! planet ,v5us4 7,x 0 broad daylight47 ,newspap]s quot$ 8tra9$ a/ronomical (ficials 9 ,dayton0 z ! s\rce = ?is explanation4 ,mean:ile ! ,mexican gov]nm5t newspap]1 ,el ,nacional1 quot$ 8a fam\s & reputable a/ronom]0 z say+ ! num]\s disks report$ ov] ,mexico 8c>ry visitors f ,m>s40 ,"o ( ! /range/ reports came f ! naval air /ation at ,dallas1 ,texas4 ,x 0 ab\t #aa3cj ,a4,m4 on ,m>* #af :5 ,,cpo ,*>les ,lewis saw a disk /reak up at a ,b-#cf bomb]4 ,! disk appe>$ ab\t tw5ty to tw5ty-five feet 9 diamet]1 ,lewis report$4 ,rac+ at incr$ible spe$1 x %ot up "u ! bomb]1 hung !re = a second1 !n broke away at a #de-;degree angle4 ,foll[+ ?is1 x %ot /raight up into ! air & disappe>$4 ,capta9 ,m4 ,a4 ,nation1 ,c4 ,o4 ( ! /ation1 said x 0 8,i ! second report 9 t5 days4 ,on ,m>* #g1 said ,capta9 ,nation1 a t[] control op]ator nam$ ,c4 ,e4 ,edmundson saw a simil> disk fly+ s fa/ x 0 almo/ a blur4 8,he e/imat$ its spe$ at ?ree ?\s& to f\r ?\s& miles p] h\r10 ,capta9 ,nation /at$4 8,( c\rse1 he _h no in/rum5ts to compute ! spe$1 s t's a pure e/imate40 ,x 0 "s "t be=e ?is :5 ,i he>d ! fir/ crazy rumor ab\t ! guid$-missile display4 ,?is /ory1 :i* _h new details e "t ,i he>d x describ$ ! ,air ,=ce z refus+ to let ! ,navy ann\nce a new type ( missile4 ,accord+ to ! rumors1 ! ,air ,=ce 0 try+ to prove its own missile f> sup]ior1 to keep ! ,navy f invad+ its long-range bomb+ doma94 ,!n ! ,army jo9$ ! pit*$ battle ) /ill a ?ird guid$ missile1 accord+ to ! rumors4 ,& ! fly+ disks8 ,army1 ,navy1 & ,air ,=ce missiles1 laun*$ 9 droves all ov] ! c\ntry to prove ^: 0 ! be/8 ,a public missile race1 ) ! jo9t ,*iefs ( ,/aff to decide ! w9n]6 ,x seems fanta/ic t ?is !ory w\ld be believ$ by any intellig5t p]son4 ,9 effect1 x accuses ! arm$ s]vices ( delib]ate1 crim9al neglig5ce1 ( endang]+ millions 9 ! cities bel[4 ,i am conv9c$ t "s ( ^! rumors l$ to at lea/ "o ( ! publi%$ guesses ab\t our missile program4 ,"o widely publiciz$ /ory /at$ t ! fly+ sauc]s se5 hurtl+ ?r\gh our skies are actually two types ( secret weapons4 ,"o1 accord+ to radio & newspap] acc\nts1 is a disk t :izzes ?r\gh space1 halts susp5d$ 9 ! air1 so>s to ?irty ?\s& feet1 drops to "o ?\s& feet1 & !n usually dis9tegrates 9 ! air4 ,^! sauc]s1 x 0 said1 rang$ f #bj in*es to #bej feet 9 diamet]4 ,!y 7 suppos$ to be pilotless--& h>mless4 ,! second type 0 said to be a jet v]sion ( ! ,navy's circul> airfoil 8,fly+ ,flapjack40 ,x 0 cr$it$ ) fanta/ic spe$4 ,! 8true disks10 h[ev]1 7 ma9ly ,air ,=ce devices1 accord+ to ! report4 8,"s are guid$1 o!rs are n10 said ! radio comm5tator :o releas$ ?is /ory4 8,!y c /ay /ation>y1 da% (f to "r or left1 & move l lightn+4 ,b !y are utt]ly h>mless40 ,9 ^! 8h>mless0 disks !re 0 suppos$ to be an explosive *>ge t de/roy$ !m 9 mid-air at a pr$et]m9$ "t4 ,)9 a few days aft] ?is /ory 0 broadca/1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,news & ,_w ,report decl>$ t ! sauc]s are real1 & id5tifi$ !m z jet models ( ,navy 8,fly+ ,flapjacks40 ,?is magaz9e1 :i* is n an (ficial publication despite its "n1 m5tion$ ! v>iable-direction jet pr9ciple t ,i _h previ\sly describ$ 9 ! ,true article4 ,^! two fly+-sauc] 8explanations0 br\ght d5ials f ! ,:ite ,h\se1 ! ,navy1 & ! ,air ,=ce4 ,! ,air ,=ce flatly decl>$ t3 #a4 ,none ( ! arm$ =ces is conduct+ secret exp]im5ts ) disk-%ap$ fly+ objects t c\ld be a basis = ! report$ ph5om5a4 #b4 ,!re is no evid5ce t ! latt] /em f ! activities ( any =eign nation4 ,be=e ?is1 ,presid5t ,truman /at$ he knew no?+ ( any su* objects be+ develop$ by ! ,unit$ ,/ates or any o!r nation4 ,! ,navy d5ial came imm$iately aft] ! fir/ broadca/ /ory4 ,x ran3 8,! ,navy is n engag$ 9 rese>* or 9 fly+ any jet-p[]$1 circul>-%ap$ aircraft40 ,! ,navy add$ t "o model ( a pancake-%ap$ aircraft1 call$ ! ,zimm]man ,skimm]1 0 built b 0 nev] fl[n4 ,h[ev]1 a small1 ?ree-?\s&-p\nd scale model did fly & 0 "u radio control dur+ flight4 ,?is la/ device is n[ be+ rumor$ z ! ,navy's unpilot$ 8missile10 said to h be5 laun*$ ov] ! c\ntry l ! s-call$ 8h>mless0 disks4 ,ev5 ?\gh all ^! acc\nts h be5 (ficially d5i$1 _m ,am]icans may /ill believe !y are true4 ,i h no desire to criticize ! au?ors ( ^! /ories2 ,i believe t 9 foll[+ up c]ta9 guid$-missile leads !y 7 misl$ into accept+ ! conclusions !y gave4 ,b ^! /ories1 p>ticul>ly ! acc\nts ( huge unpilot$ disks1 may h plant$ c]ta9 fe>s 9 ! public m9d-fe>s t are completely unw>rant$4 ,= ?is reason1 ,i h p]sonally *eck$ at ,wa%+ton 9 reg>d to ! dang]s ( unpilot$ missiles4 ,"h aye ! facts ,i le>n$3 #a4 ,nei!r ! ,army1 ,navy1 nor ,air ,=ce has at any "t /ag$ any guid$-missile competition z rumor$4 #b4 ,no unpilot$ missiles or remote-controll$ exp]im5tal craft h be5 te/$ ov] ,am]ican cities or heavily populat$ areas4 #c4 ,no unpilot$ missile c>ry+ dang]\s explosives1 :e!r = de/ruction ( ! device or o!r purposes1 has be5 delib]ately laun*$ or te/$ ov] heavily populat$ areas4 ,9 reg>d to ! s-call$ jet-propell$ 8,fly+ ,flapjack10 ,i h be5 assur$ by ,admiral ,calv9 ,bol/]1 ( ! ,navy ,bureau ( ,a]onautics1 t ?is type ( plane has nev] be5 produc$4 ,i conc$e t he might make ?is /atem5t to conceal a secret developm5t1 b !re is "o fact ( :i* e ,am]ican c be c]ta93 ,nei!r ?is type1 nor ! radio-controll$ small] model1 has be5 or w be fl[n or laun*$ ov] areas :]e p w\ld be endang]$4 ,! ?ree arm$ s]vices are work+ on guid$ missiles4 ,!y are n risk+ ,am]ican lives by laun*+ su* missiles at r&om across ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 ,al?\gh mo/ ( our guid$-missile projects are secret1 x is possible to give c]ta9 facts ab\t guid$-missile developm5ts 9 g5]al4 ,! fir/ successful long-range missiles 7 produc$ by ! ,g]mans4 ,^! 7 ! buzz-bomb &4 ! ,v-#b rocket4 ,b rese>* 9 v>i\s o!r types 0 c>ri$ on dur+ ! w>4 ,"s ( ?is 0 ) oval & r\nd types ( airfoils4 ,z already /at$ by ,paul ,r$ell1 !re is /rong evid5ce t ! disk-%ap$ foil result$ f ,g]man obs]vations ( ei!r space %ips or remote-control disk-%ap$ 8obs]v] units40 ,all ! ,nazi space-exploration plans foll[$ ?is discov]y t we 7 be+ obs]v$ by a race f ano!r planet4 ,aft] ! end ( ,_w ,w> ,,ii1 ! int]national guid$-missile race began1 ) ! ,briti%1 ,russians1 & ourselves z ! *ief cont5d]s4 ,num]\s types h be5 develop$-w+$ bombs1 small rad>-guid$ projectiles laun*$ f planes1 & gr\nd-to-plane plane-to-gr\nd1 & plane-to-plane missiles1 equipp$ ) t>get hom+ devices4 ,9 c]ta9 rec5t types1 ! range c be /at$ z sev]al hundr$ miles4 ,s f> z ,i h le>n$1 aft] weeks ( re*eck+ ?is po9t1 n a s+le long-range missile has be5 id5tifi$ z ,russian4 ,s9ce ?is c\ntry is work+ closely ) ,great ,brita9 on global def5se problems1 x is no violation ( security to say t we h probably ex*ang$ c]ta9 guid$-missile in=mation4 ,9 reg>d to ! ,briti% long-range missile picture outl9$ to me by ,john ,/eele1 ,i c /ate two major facts3 #a4 ,! ,briti% h categorically d5i$ te/+ su* long-range missiles ov] ,am]ican t]ritory1 :]e !y might endang] ,am]ican citiz5s4 ,!re is conv9c+ evid5ce t !y are tell+ ! tru?4 #b4 ,!re is no ,briti% missile n[ built1 or plann$1 t c\ld expla9 ! objects se5 by ,capta9 ,mantell1 ,*iles & ,:itt$1 & witnesses 9 mo/ ( ! major sight+s4 ,! prec$+ /atem5t applies equally to ,am]ican-built missiles4 ,!re is no exp]im5tal craft or guid$ missile ev5 remotely consid]$ 9 ?is c\ntry t w\ld beg9 to approa* ! dim5sions & p]=mance ( ! space %ips se5 9 ^! cases4 ,!re is concrete evid5ce t ! ,unit$ ,/ates is z well advanc$ z any o!r nation 9 guid$-missile developm5t4 ,c]ta9 rec5t advances %\ld place u 9 ! lead1 unless confid5tial reports on ,soviet progress are completely wrong4 ,if ,am]ican sci5ti/s & eng9e]s c le>n ! s\rce ( ! space %ips' p[] & adapt x to our use1 x may well be ! means = end+ ! ?reat ( w>4 ,! ,soviet sci5ti/s are well aw>e ( ?is2 _! rese>* into cosmic rays & o!r natural =ces has be5 r$\bl$ s9ce ! fly+-sauc] reports ( #aidg4 ,! secret ( ! space %ips' p[] is m important ?an ev5 ! hydrog5 bomb4 ,x may som$ay be ! key to ! fate ( ! _w4 ,,*apt] ,,xx ,aft] "o ye>'s inve/igation ( ! fly+ sauc]s & ,air ,=ce op]ations1 ,i h come to ! foll[+ conclusions3 #a4 ,! ,air ,=ce 0 puzzl$1 & badly worri$ :5 ! disks fir/ 7 sight$ 9 #aidg4 #b4 ,! ,air ,=ce began to suspect ! tru? soon aft] ,mantell's dea?--p]haps ev5 be=e4 #c4 ,project 8,sauc]0 0 set up to inve/igate & at ! same "t conceal f ! public ! tru? ab\t ! sauc]s4 #d4 ,dur+ ! spr+ ( #aidi ?is policy1 :i* _h be5 /rictly ma9ta9$ by ,=re/al1 und]w5t an abrupt *ange4 ,on top-level ord]s1 x 0 decid$ to let ! facts gradually leak out1 9 ord] to prep>e ! ,am]ican p4 #e4 ,?is 0 ! reason = ! ,april #bg1 #aidi1 report1 ) its sugge/ions ab\t space visitors4 #f4 ,:ile ,i 0 prep>+ ! article = ! ,janu>y #aiej issue ( ,true1 x _h be5 consid]$ 9 l9e ) ! g5]al education program4 ,b ! unexpect$ public reaction 0 mi/ak5 by ! ,air ,=ce = hy/]ia1 result+ 9 _! ha/y d5ial t ! sauc]s exi/$4 #g4 ,because ! ,air ,=ce fe>$ any clos] analysis ( ! ,mantell case1 ,major ,boggs 0 in/ruct$ to publicize ! ,v5us explanation4 ,al?\gh x _h be5 d5i$1 ! ,air ,=ce knew t mo/ p _h =gott5 ?is or _h nev] kn[n x4 #h4 ,major ,boggs1 hav+ /at$ ?is answ] publicly 7along ) ! o!r ,*iles-,:itt$ & ,gorman answ]s71 0 =c$ to /ick to x1 ?\gh he knew x 0 wrong & t ! case summ>ies w\ld prove x4 #i4 ,! case summ>ies 7 releas$ to a small numb] ( ,wa%+ton newsm51 to cont9ue plant+ ! space-travel ?\ght2 ?is decision be+ made aft] ,true's reception prov$ to ! ,air ,=ce t ! public 0 bett] prep>$ ?an _h be5 ?\ght4 ,9 reg>d to ! fly+ sauc]s !mselves1 ,i believe t 9 ! majority ( cases1 space %ips are ! answ]3 #a4 ,! e>? has be5 "u p]iodic obs]vation f ano!r planet1 or o!r planets1 = at lea/ two c5turies4 #b4 ,?is obs]vation sudd5ly increas$ 9 #aidg1 foll[+1 ! s]ies ( ,a-bomb explosions begun 9 #aide4 #c4 ,! obs]vation1 n[ int]mitt5t1 is "p ( a long-range survey & w cont9ue indef9itely4 ,no imm$iate attempt to contact ! e>? seems evid5t4 ,!re may be "s unkn[n block to mak+ contact1 b x is m probable t ! spacem5's plans are n complete4 ,i believe t ! ,air ,=ce is /ill inve/igat+ ! sauc] sight+s1 ei!r ?r\gh ! ,air ,mat]iel ,comm& or "s o!r headqu>t]s4 ,x is possible t "s ,air ,=ce (ficials /ill fe> a panic :5 ! tru? is (ficially reveal$4 ,9 t case1 we may cont9ue = a long "t to see r\t9e d5ials alt]nat+ ) new sugge/ions ( int]planet>y travel4 ,! education problem is complicat$ by two imp]ative ne$s4 ,we mu/ try to le>n z mu* z we c ab\t ! space %ips' s\rce ( p[]1 & at ! same "t try to prev5t clues to ?is in=mation f rea*+ an enemy on e>?1 ,if c5sor%ip is sudd5ly impos$ on all fly+-sauc] reports1 ?is w be ! *ief reason4 ,?is w\ld also help solve a m9or problem :]e p>tial c5sor%ip n[ exi/s4 ,a few te/ missiles laun*$ f a s\?we/ base h be5 se5 by citiz5s at a di/ance f ! prov+ gr\nds4 ,9 "s cases1 _! reports h got into local pap]s1 ?\gh ! wire s]vices did n c>ry !m4 ,^! missile te/s are peculi>ly diff]5t f ! g5]al run ( fly+-sauc] reports4 ,contra/$ ) ! ,*iles-,:itt$1 ,mantell1 & o!r space-%ip sight+s1 !y /& out ) a c]ta9 patt]n1 easy to recognize4 ,news or radio reports ( ^! te/s might accid5tally give an enemy clues to ! type1 spe$1 & range ( ?is p>ticul> missile1 once he le>n$ ! patt]n4 ,p]iodic c5sor%ip1 or ev5 a complete black\t ( sight+ reports1 may be en=c$ dur+ ! next ye> or s4 ,= ! purposes m5tion$1 su* action w\ld be ju/ifi$4 ,b :5ev] su* c5sor%ip is lift$1 ! complete tru? ab\t space visitors %\ld be told at ! same "t3 ! full details ( all ! major cases1 ! size ( ! ,godman ,field space %ip1 any attempt$ l&+s or o!r ef=ts at contact by int]planet>y visitors1 & all o!r details t n[ are (ficial secrets4 ,i also believe t a c]ta9 gr\p ( disk sight+s 9 ?is c\ntry is l9k$ ) our guid$ missiles4 ,(ficial ann\ncem5ts1 ( c\rse1 may be delay$ a long "t4 ,) ?is exception1 ,i believe t ,am]icans %\ld be told ! tru?1 n[4 ,:5 ! ann\ncem5t ( our guid$ missiles is made1 "s ,am]icans n famili> ) ! facts may accept x z a full answ]4 ,if (ficials are n yet ready to reveal ! space-travel facts1 ! ,mantell evid5ce & o!r key cases may be delib]ately gloss$ ov]4 ,b ev5 if all ! evid5ce--! _w-wide sight+s1 ! old records1 ! ,*iles-,:itt$ & o!r cases--%\ld be completely ignor$1 ,am]icans _c escape ev5tual contact ) dwell]s on o!r planets4 ,ev5 ?\gh space visitors nev] attempt contact ) u1 soon] or lat] e>?l+s w be travel+ to di/ant planets--planets t sci5ti/s h said are almo/ surely inhabit$4 ,! ,am]ican p h prov$ _! ability to take incr$ible ?+s4 ,we h surviv$ ! /unn+ impact ( ! ,atomic ,age4 ,we %\ld be able to take ! ,int]planet>y ,age1 :5 x comes1 )\t hy/]ia4