NASA Management Instruction KMI 8610.4

John F. Kennedy Space Center
NASA Management Instruction KMI 8610.4,
"Processing Reports of Sightings of Space Vehicle Fragments,"

13-April-1997 - This interesting document has been verified by our obtaining it under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

The obvious purpose of this Instruction was to facilitate recovery of items earthly space hardware for, we believe, two main purposes: (1) to assess the effects of launch, exposure to space environments, and re-entry upon items of American space hardware, and (2) to wring any and all possible information (intelligence) from items of foreign space hardware. Note however, that the Instruction does require reporting of "unidentified flying objects."

The 1968 version of this Instruction directly mentions "Unidentified Flying Objects." It is a fact of UFOlogy that a certain percentage of UFO reports are sightings of "space junk" burning from friction heating as they return from space through the Earth's atmosphere. This being so, it seems natural that "UFOs" would be included in the information to be collected.

It is also a fact that their remains a core of UFO reports which defy explanation even after taking into account all known natural and man made phenomena. This being so, a certain number of such 'core' UFO reports no doubt were received by NASA through the reporting system set up under NASA Management Instruction KMI 8610.4, "Processing Reports of Sightings of Space Vehicle Fragments." The inability of NASA to locate the log of sightings specified by this instruction may or may not be significant in respect to UFO. Efforts to obtain copies of this log will continue.

Jim Klotz CUFON SYSOP 13-April-1997

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National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899

Reply to Attn of: PA February 25, 1997

Mr. James Klotz
! Address deleted by CUFON !
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043

Dear Mr. Klotz:

This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act request referred to this office by the NASA Headquarters, dated January 26, and received February 6, requesting a copy of "John F. Kennedy Space Center, NASA Management Instruction KMI 8610.4, Subject Processing Reports of Sightings of Space Vehicle Fragments," Effective date June 28, 1967, signed by Kurt H. Debus, (then) Director. I also request copies of like instructions, procedures, orders, memoranda, etc. which address the same or like subjects whether specifically for other NASA activities other an KSC, or for NASA as a whole, past and present. I also request copies of the Log of Reports of Sightings (then) maintained by the Director of Support Operations, Communications and Timing Division, for the year 1967, And I request an accounting of the pages extant for this Log and related reports, memoranda, communications, correspondence, such as, but not limited "written communications received from persons or activities reporting a sighting ..." which were "immediately transmitted to the Senior Scientist, KSC," from the beginning of the keeping of the above mentioned Log to date."

Enclosed is a copy of KMI 8610.4 dated June 28, 1967 and the latest version of the KMI dated June 2, 1995." There is no charge for the enclosed records since as an "other" requester you are entitled to the first one hundred pages and the first two hours of research free of charge.

A search of records located at the Kennedy Space Center did not locate any records responsive to your request for "copies of Log of Reports of Sightings..."

Although we have not withheld/located any documents, under a recent court case we must provide you with your appeal rights. You are advised that you may appeal this initial determination to the NASA Administrator. Your appeal must

(1) be address to Administrator, NASA, Washington, DC 20546; (2) be clearly identified on the envelope and in the letter as an "Appeal under the Freedom of Information Act;" (3) include a copy of the request for agency record and a copy of this initial determination; (4) to the extent possible, state the reasons why you believe this determination should be reversed; (5) be sent to the Administrator within 30 calendar days of the date of receipt of this initial determination.

Sincerely,

/s/ Lesa Touh for
(or Fouh)

Hugh W. Harris
Director, Public Affairs Office
FOIA Officer

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! 1967 version of KMI ! KMI 8610.4

June 28, 1967
Effective Date

JOHN F. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, NASA
MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTION

SUBJECT : PROCESSING REPORTS OF SIGHTINGS OF SPACE
VEHICLE FRAGMENTS

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Instruction is to establish procedures for handling reports of sightings of objects such as fragments or component parts of space vehicles known or alleged by an observer to have impacted upon the earth's surface as a result of safety destruct action, failure in flight, or reentry into the earth's atmosphere. Included are reports of sightings of objects not related to space vehicles.

2. APPLICABILITY

This Instruction is applicable to all organizational elements of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, NASA (KSC) and to NASA/KSC contractors as expressed in the terms of their contracts.

3. POLICY

It is KSC policy to respond to reported sightings of space vehicle fragments and unidentified flying objects as promptly as possible. All KSC personnel and activities will cooperate to ensure that pertinent information relative to such sightings is received and processed as set forth in this Instruction.

4. DEFINITIONS

	a.	Space Vehicle Fragment: A fragment or component part of a space vehicle that has impacted upon the surface of the earth or washed up on a beach conceivably as a result of safety destruct actions, failure in flight, or reentry into the earth's atmosphere.
	b.	Unidentified Flying Object: An unidentified object observed in the atmosphere.

5. PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING REPORTS OF SIGHTINGS

	a.	KSC telephone operators will refer all telephone calls coming into the KSC switchboard from persons reporting sightings, as defined herein, to the @KSC Scheduling Branch, Test Support Management Office, telephone 867-3013.
	b.	Persons other than telephone operators receiving initial reports of sightings will, if possible, transfer the call to the KSC Scheduling Branch. If the call cannot be transferred, the following information should be obtained from the caller and immediately transmitted to the KSC Scheduling Branch:

	(1)	Name, address, and telephone number of the observer and any other information needed to establish the identity of the observer for possible immediate follow-up contact.
	(2)	Description of the object sighted, i.e. , shape, size, color, etc.
	(3)	Location of the object: state, city, etc.

NOTE: Under no circumstances will the origin of the object be discussed with the observer or person making the call.

The KSC Scheduling Branch, in response to a report of a sighting, will:

	(1)	Contact military bases nearest the sighting to enlist their aid in determining the validity of the sighting.
	(2)	Contact the KSC Security Office who will in turn contact municipal and State police nearest the sighting to enlist their aid in determining the validity of the sighting.
	(3)	Consult with the Public Information Branch, Public Affairs Office, on reported sightings that may be of public interest.
	(4)	Refer all inquiries from news media to the Public Information Branch.
	(5)	Consult with the Senior Scientist, KSC, on all sightings reported.
	(6)	Call in unidentified flying object reports to the Patrick Air Force Base Command Post, telephone 494-7001.

All written communications received from persons or activities reporting a sighting will be immediately transmitted to the Senior Scientist, KSC.

6. RESPONSIBILITIES

Test Support Management Office will be responsible for:

	(1)	Developing and maintaining a capability for receiving, screening, and processing reports of sightings, as defined in paragraph 4, on a 24-hour-day, 7-day-week basis.
	(2)	Ensuring close liaison with the Senior Scientist, KSC, and the Public Affairs Office on matters pertaining to this Instruction.
	(3)	Coordinating with the Senior Scientist, KSC, as soon as possible after a reported sighting to determine the action to be taken.

	b.	The KSC Scheduling Branch, Test Support Management Office, will be responsible for maintaining a 24-hour-day, 7-day-week capability for receiving, screening, and processing reports of sightings, in accordance with paragraph 5c.
	c.	The Senior Scientist, KSC, will be responsible for:

	(1)	The overall monitoring of the space vehicle fragment sighting program at KSC.
	(2)	Evaluating the screening procedures performed by the KSC Scheduling Branch.
	(3)	Conducting or initiating and monitoring the scientific investigation of recovered items.
	(4)	Coordinating sightings of space vehicle fragments with launch operations elements who may be interested in fragments of their vehicles for analysis.

The Communications and Timing Division, Director of Support Operations will be responsible for:

	(1)	Ensuring that KSC telephone operators are properly briefed with regard to their responsibilities as set forth in paragraph 5a.
	(2)	Maintaining a log of reports of sightings.

                             /s/ Kurt H. Debus
                                   Kurt H. Debus
                                   Director

Distribution "H"

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! June 1995 version of the KMI !

NASA
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration KMI 8610.4G

John F. Kennedy Space Center DATE June 2, 1995

EXPIRES June 2, 1998

MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTION

RESPONSIBLE OFFICE: IM/Director of Installation Operations

SUBJECT: PROCESSING REPORTS OF SIGHTINGS OF
SPACE VEHICLE FRAGMENTS

1. PURPOSE

This instruction assigns responsibilities for responding to reports of sightings of objects alleged to be fragments of space vehicles and applies to all KSC organizational elements.

2. POLICY

It is KSC policy to respond as rapidly as possible to reports of sightings of space vehicle fragments, to implement screening procedures of sightings, to ensure that personnel are protected from potential hazards and that objects are properly safeguarded, and to process all reports in a timely manner.

3. DEFINITIONS

Space Vehicle Fragment: A piece or component of a space vehicle that has impacted upon the surface of the earth or washed up on a beach.

*4. RESPONSIBLITIES

The Director of Installation Operations is responsible for managing the Space Vehicle Fragment Sighting Program by developing and maintaining a system for receiving and responding to reports of sightings of space vehicle fragments and notifying other interested organizations. These responsibilities are described in detail in Attachment A.

*Denotes change.

KSC FORM 2-92 (REV-6/91) C/G 6/91

KMI 8610.4G
June 2, 1995

5. SUPERSESSION

This Instruction supersedes KMI 8610.4F

                          /s/ Jay F. Honeycutt
                             Jay F. Honeycutt
                             Director

Attachment
A. Responsibilities

DISTRIBUTION:
STDL-P

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Attachment A to
KMI 86l0-4G, 06/02/95

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The Director of Installation operations is responsible for assuring that the Base operations Contractor develops and maintains the capability for receiving, screening, and processing reports of sightings of space vehicle fragments on a 24-hour day, 7-day week basis, as follows:

	a.	Advise the NASA/Air Force Management and Aircraft Operations Office and the Public Affairs Office of all reported sightings.
	b.	Refer all inquiries from news media to the Public Affairs office.
	c.	If requested by the NASA/Air Force management and Aircraft Operations Office, solicit the aid of military agencies (through the PAFB consolidated Command Post, telephone 494-7000/7001), or law enforcement agencies (through the KSC Security Office, telephone 867-2455) in determining the validity of the sighting, protecting objects found from further damage, and protecting the general public from any associated hazard.

2. The chief, NASA/Air Force Management and Aircraft Operations Office, is responsible for:

	a.	Administering the KSC program for reporting sightings of space vehicle fragments and evaluating the screening procedures performed by the KSC Base Operations Contract Duty Office.
	b.	Coordinating with the staffs of Biomedical Operations Office and/or the Safety vehicle Division, or Payload and Industrial Safety Division, Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate, if the fragments are suspected to contain health hazards (e.g., radioactive materials, toxins, propellants) and/or safety hazards (explosives, flammables, etc.); and ensuring that the procedures are in place to protect the general public from any such hazards and that the fragments are protected from further damage or theft.
	c.	Initiating, conducting, and/or monitoring the scientific investigation of recovered items.

A-1

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Attachment A to
KMI 86lO-4G, 06/02/95

3. All KSC employees receiving initial reports of sightings are responsible for:

	a.	Transferring incoming phone calls to the KSC Base Operations Contract Duty Office (861-5050).
	b.	If the call cannot be transferred, obtaining the following information from the caller and immediately transmitting it to the KSC Base Operations Duty Officer.

	(1)	Name, address, and telephone number of the observer, or any other information needed to establish an identity for possible immediate followup contact.
	(2)	Description of the fragment sighted: shape, size, color, markings, etc.
	(3)	Specific location of fragment: city, state, address/specific geographic location, etc.

A-2

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