DISCLOSURE / FILE
A 1960 RAAF School of Radio file (NAA A12639 5/1/AIR) recording sightings of the Sputnik III decay and a separate bright-star object, with Department of Air signals instructing units to report any sightings to DAFI.
A 1960 RAAF School of Radio file (NAA A12639 5/1/AIR) recording sightings of the Sputnik III decay and a separate bright-star object, with Department of Air signals instructing units to report any sightings to DAFI.
The file opens on 7 April 1960 at the RAAF School of Radio, Ballarat, and collects message traffic between RADSCL and the Department of Air's Directorate of Air Force Intelligence (DAFI). The bulk concerns the predicted atmospheric re-entry of Sputnik III (58-D-2) on 23-24 September 1960 and on 6 April 1960, with DAFI signal AI205/AI304 instructing units to report any sightings. Sqn Ldr A. Frost watched from 1950 hours on 7 April 1960 and logged a bright red object flashing ten times in eight seconds, low in the north-east, from 1958 to 2005 hours. A separate report from AC Bridle A. R. records a bright star-like object on 29 September at 1925 hours, moving NW to NE about 100 miles from the Victorian border, in sight for fifteen minutes.
UNITS TO REPORT ANY SIGHTINGS TO DEPARTMENT OF AIR (DAFI) BY SIGNAL FOLLOWED WITH DETAILED REPORTp.8
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~ -/ RESTRICTED Form A.56 (bvised Moy, 1957) . ;, . ~ ' ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE ~ ............ DATE OPENED . UNIT . ~ ~ ' ~ 7 APR 1960 f,A.N = School of IUctt -........... \::) BALLARAT ~ INSTRUCTIONS ON TITLE . BACK COVER 0 0 I lff~J..t.fG '£!{c'£ <: <: t- • . L&.l a::: f {{~tJ~f s' ...... -q;: Ul{tJ s' fJ 111-- ....... S lf/Hfl l{l/s (),( L&.. Q, - I 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 /' Referred to for Minute or Date Initials Referred to for Minute 9r Date loitials Referred to for Minute or Date loitials action or information enclosure action or information enclosure action or information enclosure 4 -:- ~- ~T~ /, • 4/f- / .t./1....., 21~ ~ v I _.r.-1/ ~ , \ . .. R E STRIC T EDPage 2 · born-digital extraction
\ File Number I I ................ 1 .............. 1 ....... ......... ........... .../ ......... . I ·············· / . ..... . I I /. ... I I Title ............ .. / .......... I. .. .......... ... ............................................................................................................................ ............ / .......... /< .............................................................................................................................. .................. ............ ./ ......... 1 ... ............................................................................................................................................. .. ........... . /~ .........../ ............... . ··················· ···································· ·········································································· Cross References to be Made Above
Concatenated page-by-page transcript. Born-digital pages came through pdf.js; scanned pages were transcribed by Claude vision OCR. Pages marked unreadable failed multiple OCR retries (heavy redaction, microfilm artifacts, or blank separators) and are kept in place for audit.
~ -/ RESTRICTED Form A.56 (bvised Moy, 1957) . ;, . ~ ' ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE ~ ............ DATE OPENED . UNIT . ~ ~ ' ~ 7 APR 1960 f,A.N = School of IUctt -........... \::) BALLARAT ~ INSTRUCTIONS ON TITLE . BACK COVER 0 0 I lff~J..t.fG '£!{c'£ <: <: t- • . L&.l a::: f {{~tJ~f s' ...... -q;: Ul{tJ s' fJ 111-- ....... S lf/Hfl l{l/s (),( L&.. Q, - I 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 /' Referred to for Minute or Date Initials Referred to for Minute 9r Date loitials Referred to for Minute or Date loitials action or information enclosure action or information enclosure action or information enclosure 4 -:- ~- ~T~ /, • 4/f- / .t./1....., 21~ ~ v I _.r.-1/ ~ , \ . .. R E STRIC T ED\ File Number I I ................ 1 .............. 1 ....... ......... ........... .../ ......... . I ·············· / . ..... . I I /. ... I I Title ............ .. / .......... I. .. .......... ... ............................................................................................................................ ............ / .......... /< .............................................................................................................................. .................. ............ ./ ......... 1 ... ............................................................................................................................................. .. ........... . /~ .........../ ............... . ··················· ···································· ·········································································· Cross References to be Made Above
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-- RESTRICTED INSTRUCTIONS 1. Opening of Files.-Requests for new files are to be made to the Central Registry or to the unit corres- pondPnce clerk, as applicable, who will be responsible for:- (a) Advising if a file is in existence dealing with the subject aspect. (b) Advising if the proposed file title conflicts with that of an existing file. (c) Inserting on the new file cover all cross-references to related files. (d) Completing all details on the front cover, including the initial marking to the appointment making the request. 2. File Numbers.-To facilitate selection, removal and replacement of files provision has been made to record the file number on the spine for use when files are stored on their edges. In addition the file number is to be recorded at the top left comer. 3. TrianguJar Inserts.-Triangular inserts are designed to keep the cap of the metal binder inside the cover so that damage is not caused to adjacent files. These inserts, which measure 5 in. x 5 in., are available from Stores Depots. 4. Method of Fixing Inserts.-The longest side of the insert is to be placed inside and centrally along the top edge of the file cover and secured with two staples on each side. Staples are to be introduced from the outer side of the cover. Metal binders are then to be inserted in the appropriate positions for enclosures and minute sheets through the inserts only, not through the cover. 5. Size of Files.-Care must be taken to see that files do not become too bulky; however, the guiding principle to be observed for opening a new part to a file is the necessity for preserving the original enclosures. 6. New Covers.-When a new cover is placed on a file the front of the old cover is to be placed in the file as Enclosure lA (i). 7. Attachment of Papers.-Papers are to be attached to the file cover by means of appropriately sized paper fasteners. Washers must be used. Minute sheets are to be attached to the left-hand side, enclosures to the right. The file number will be placed on both. 8. Enclosures.-Correspondence to or from an outside body, loose minutes, or any written matter too lengthy to be written on the minute sheet, will appear as an enclosure. Enclosures arc to be numbered consecutively and, if consisting of only one document, the number will be followed by the letter "A". Where two or more letters form one enclosure, they will all bear the same number followed consecutively by the letters "A", "B", "C", etc. 9. Minutes.-Minutes, other than loose minutes, will be typed or written on the minute sheet and numbered consecutively. A minute should be brief and conci'>e and is normally used to refer an enclosure for informa- tion or decision. Both sides of the minute sheet are to be used. 10. Addressing of Minutes.-Authorised short titles are used to indicate the addressee, who is invariably to initial the address. These initials only signify that the person concerned has sighted the minute. If it is desired to express concurrence, the words "agree" or "concur" must be added to the initials. H .-Addressing of Files.-A file is charged to an addressee by:- (a) Placing the authorised short title of the addressee in column 1, front cover. (b) Placing the number of the referred minute or enclosure in column 2. (If a minute, the number only- if an enclosure, the number and letter.) (c) Placing the date the file is passed out in column 3. 12. Movement of Files.-Files normally are passed through Registry where the movement is recorded. When files are passed by hand, a direct transit slip (Form A.58) is to be used. 13. B.F. (Bring Forward) and P.A. (Put Away).-Files must not be retained when current work has been completed. They should be returned to the registry and marked B.F., if required on a certain date. The appropriate staff officer will decide when a file should be marked P.A. 14. Care of Files.-File covers or their contents, when damaged or torn, must be repaired by the Registry before passing the file out. The front cover of the old file cover must not be destroyed. (See paragraph 3.) 15. Classified Files.-Tbe provisions of A.A.P. 810 are to be observed when handling classified files. 16. For complete instructions, see A.A.P. 103 (Manual of Administration), Section 2, Chapter 26. RESTRICTED Marbut Print - -- -- - ---
R.A.A.P. Form A 60 (May, 1936) MINUTE SHEET Re/eronce roVER
For m A. 214 (Aut ust, 1955) F. Sigs. 52 (small) ,. ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE MESSAGE FORM FOR COM~EN /SIG NALS USE ................................................................................................................................................................................. _ ............. _...................................... -·--- PRECEDENCE-ACTION I PRECEDENCE - INFO I DATE- TIME GROUP ROtJrirE DEFERI\ED t)--f 0~1 :,-2 MES SAGE INSTRUCTIONS FROM .tt.ADSCL PR FIX GR TO DEPAI RCAN ( D.AFI) SECURITY CLASSIFICATION UNCLASSIFIED ORIGINATOR'S NUMBER INFO AZ /og YOUR AI304 21ST SEPI'EMBER A55891 AC BRIDLE A. R. REPOHTS SIGHTI NG BR IGHT STAR IJIKE OBJECT 29TH S EPTEMBER 1925 HOURS SOI1l'H AilST TIHE MOVING NW TO NE PD OBJECT S E b~N AP PR OXP ~ (l.T ELY 100 MILES FROM VICTORIAN BORDER M~D I N S I GHT F I FTEEN MI NUT ES PD HO FURTHER DETAILS AVAILABLE 1 1 I ~EFERS !0 MESSAGE 71/ ~,£ I DRAFTER 'S NAME Page..................o f... ..............pages CLASSIFIED A. V!. , J\1 SON YES NO TEL No. FOR J I DAT E TI ME I SYSTEM ]' Operator DATE TIME I SYSTEM I Operator. R s~:s I R D RANK
ROUTINE FM DEPAIRCAN 21Q330Z T O CO' LI ST ALPHA HQPCK XMT 13 - 27 - 75 COMCENS UNCLASS IFI ED A 13(S}4 PASS TO COMMAND I NG OFF I CERS PO AT~~OSPHERE RE - ENTRY OF SPUTN IK 5 I S I EXPECTED ON 23- 24 SEPT 60 PO DUR I ~G ~ ~4~ SATELL ITE WILL PROBABLY RESEMBLE SHOOT I NG STAR BUT ~ ILL MWE t 1 l..CH MORE SLO~LY VARY I N COLOUR FROM RED T ::> DULL I SH WH ITE WITH WI DE RANGE OF BR IGHTNESS BE VISIBLE DUR I NG DAY AND WILL PROBABLY TRAIL S~IQKE OR FOM.A PO MA I N BODY MAY SEPARATE I NTO SEVERA L P I ECES WH ICH CAN APPEAR SEVERAL M I I UTES APART PO WH I ST LE OR T HUNDER LIKE SOLilfOS CAN BE EXPECTED ffim ~ FEW SECONDS BEFORE TO ~KR~g SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER ROCKET I S JBSE ESV ED BY DIRECTI ')N OF MOT I ON WILL BE FROM ORTH WEST TO NORTH EAST EXCEPT AT H I GH L ATITLOE .) WHERE GENERAL 0 I RECT I ON \V I LL BE FRO ~ WEST TO cAST PD UN~ TS TO RcC-DRD At.rr-s'TQ=tiil'\rGSIO SEPARTMENT-fJP ~J~ 2 1 ~~---- A! R H)AF ~ }- 8-Y S l GNA-L - FBLL.OWED B-Y DE..IA J LED REP.ORT ,...-f. .'t'l£C~
9 1131 • 5/1/Jdr(3A) Socretar;y Department of Air Administrative Buildings C.ANB A .AQT RAAF School of Radio BALLARAT VIC 7th April, 1960 (Attention Directorate of Air Force Intelligence) 1. Ono sighting aeoumed to be Sputnik III was made by Sqn Ldr A. Frost of this unit. 2. The member was aware of the possibility of' sighting Sputnik III no a result of your oignnl and his attention was again brought to this phenomenon by an announcement over tho radio that probable n1ghtinge would be made at approximate~ 2000 hours local. time. 3. Sqn Ldr Frost commenced a ~tch at 1950 hours and oighted a bright red object low in thvbcavens at 1958 hours. No sound was heard during the pasoage of the object from north- east to north- west but the obJect c ontinued to flash at a i'requeno;y of ten flashes per eight oecondD. The object dis- appeared in the north-western aky at 2005 hours. 4. The object appenrecl 'to maintain an approximate constant elevation of approximately ten degrees above the horizon from firct to last sighting. ~AV!lrltder For Commanding Officer
Form A. 224 (AutUSI, 19$5) F. Sigs. 52 (small) ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE ME .. SSAGE FORM FOR CO~EN jSIGNALS USE ............................................_.. _, ............................................................. - ............................................................. - ..... - ..................... _ ................... ___ _ PRECEDENCE-ACTION I ROUI'INE FROM RADSCL T 0 DEPAIR CAB INFO PREFIX GR SECURITY CLASSIFICATION ORIGINATOR'S NUMBER AI ..., REFERENCE YOUR AI205 (SPt::rrNilt III) PD 01:~ SIGIITING REPORTED BY MEMBER THIS UNIT PD DETAILS ARE - OBJECT VISIBI~ FROM 060958Z to 061C05Z PD SIGHTED IN NORTH EAST EI.EVATION APPROXIMATE TEN DEGREES PD PASSED ELEVATION PD COLOUR WAS BRIGHT RED M"D FLASHD~G AT TEN FLASHES IN EIGHT SECONDS I REFERS TO MESSAGE I DRAFTER'S NAME Page .....:1......... of.......... 1 .... pages cwsiFIE ~Es O No 80); LD.R. J • B. JEr.'ELL OFFIC& S ADMIN 0 TEL No. 12 ------------------------- 31:, 1 R I DATE I TIME ISYSTEM I Opo~"' D I DATE TIME ISYSTEMI Opo~w ::~ASI
59560 ~ 15YCA020 YCA020 00 RPYPBT ~ IW¥ C 89&1' 0 060540 z FM DEPAIRCAN TO COMLIST ALPHA BT UNOLASSmf!! U N C L A S S I F I E D AI205 ATMOSPHERE REENTRY OF 58-D-2 <SPUTNIK III> IS EXPECTED DURING REVOLUTIONS 10035 TO 10042 BETWEEN 0700 Z AND 1810 2 6 APRIL 1%0 PD DURING DECAY PHASE CO~MA SATELLITE WILL PROBABL) RESEMBLE SHOOTING STAR BUT WILL ~OVE MUCH MORE SLOWLY CLN VARY IN COLOUR FROM RED TO BLUISH WHITE COMMA WITH WIDE RANGE OF BRIGHTNESS CLN BE VISIELE DURING DAY CLN AND WILL PROBABLY TRAIL SMOKE OR FLAME PD ~AIN BODY MAY SEPARATE INTO SEVERAL PIECES WHICH CAN APPEAR SEVERAL MINUTES APART PD WHISTLE OR THUNDER LIKE SOUNDS CAN BE EXPECTED FROM FEW SECONDS BEFORE TO SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER ROCKET IS PAGE TWO OF RPYC 026/06 OBSERVED PD DIRECTION OF MOTION WILL BE FROM NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST OR FROM SOUTHWEST TO NORTHEAST COMMA EXCEPT AT HIGH LATITUDES WHERE GENERAL DIRECTION WILL BE FROM WEST TO EAST PD UNITS TO REPORT ANY SIGHTINGS TO DEPARTMENT OF AIR (DAFI) BY SIGNAL FOLLOWED WITH DETAILED REPORT PD FOR COMMUNICATION CENTRES PASS TO COMMANDING OFFICERS BT 060 5 45 Z RPYC NNNN ~ ~ ~~-~---/ 4---- ~J7~ I,~ ,./r ~~/ ~,z, G...,.. . <. ~,;~-~ . ~ ~~..,. ~ ~ - .;..,4 ~ I ~ t?YY /0 ~ ~ ""'c;.c.,~
-- RESTRICTED INSTRUCTIONS 1. Opening of Files.-Requests for new files are to be made to the Central Registry or to the unit corres- pondPnce clerk, as applicable, who will be responsible for:- (a) Advising if a file is in existence dealing with the subject aspect. (b) Advising if the proposed file title conflicts with that of an existing file. (c) Inserting on the new file cover all cross-references to related files. (d) Completing all details on the front cover, including the initial marking to the appointment making the request. 2. File Numbers.-To facilitate selection, removal and replacement of files provision has been made to record the file number on the spine for use when files are stored on their edges. In addition the file number is to be recorded at the top left comer. 3. TrianguJar Inserts.-Triangular inserts are designed to keep the cap of the metal binder inside the cover so that damage is not caused to adjacent files. These inserts, which measure 5 in. x 5 in., are available from Stores Depots. 4. Method of Fixing Inserts.-The longest side of the insert is to be placed inside and centrally along the top edge of the file cover and secured with two staples on each side. Staples are to be introduced from the outer side of the cover. Metal binders are then to be inserted in the appropriate positions for enclosures and minute sheets through the inserts only, not through the cover. 5. Size of Files.-Care must be taken to see that files do not become too bulky; however, the guiding principle to be observed for opening a new part to a file is the necessity for preserving the original enclosures. 6. New Covers.-When a new cover is placed on a file the front of the old cover is to be placed in the file as Enclosure lA (i). 7. Attachment of Papers.-Papers are to be attached to the file cover by means of appropriately sized paper fasteners. Washers must be used. Minute sheets are to be attached to the left-hand side, enclosures to the right. The file number will be placed on both. 8. Enclosures.-Correspondence to or from an outside body, loose minutes, or any written matter too lengthy to be written on the minute sheet, will appear as an enclosure. Enclosures arc to be numbered consecutively and, if consisting of only one document, the number will be followed by the letter "A". Where two or more letters form one enclosure, they will all bear the same number followed consecutively by the letters "A", "B", "C", etc. 9. Minutes.-Minutes, other than loose minutes, will be typed or written on the minute sheet and numbered consecutively. A minute should be brief and conci'>e and is normally used to refer an enclosure for informa- tion or decision. Both sides of the minute sheet are to be used. 10. Addressing of Minutes.-Authorised short titles are used to indicate the addressee, who is invariably to initial the address. These initials only signify that the person concerned has sighted the minute. If it is desired to express concurrence, the words "agree" or "concur" must be added to the initials. H .-Addressing of Files.-A file is charged to an addressee by:- (a) Placing the authorised short title of the addressee in column 1, front cover. (b) Placing the number of the referred minute or enclosure in column 2. (If a minute, the number only- if an enclosure, the number and letter.) (c) Placing the date the file is passed out in column 3. 12. Movement of Files.-Files normally are passed through Registry where the movement is recorded. When files are passed by hand, a direct transit slip (Form A.58) is to be used. 13. B.F. (Bring Forward) and P.A. (Put Away).-Files must not be retained when current work has been completed. They should be returned to the registry and marked B.F., if required on a certain date. The appropriate staff officer will decide when a file should be marked P.A. 14. Care of Files.-File covers or their contents, when damaged or torn, must be repaired by the Registry before passing the file out. The front cover of the old file cover must not be destroyed. (See paragraph 3.) 15. Classified Files.-Tbe provisions of A.A.P. 810 are to be observed when handling classified files. 16. For complete instructions, see A.A.P. 103 (Manual of Administration), Section 2, Chapter 26. RESTRICTED Marbut Print - -- -- - ---