36.25N 155.52E (Pacific), June 1963June 1963

Insufficient Data

Summary

On the night of June 17, 1963, a spherical white object generating intense light was observed traveling at high speed over the Pacific Ocean at coordinates 36.25 North, 155.52 East. The object appeared to travel in a flat, straight line from an elevation of 85 degrees at 280 degrees azimuth (roughly west) to disappearing over the horizon at 0 degrees elevation and 160 degrees azimuth (roughly south-southeast). The observation lasted an unspecified duration. The object produced no tail or burning effect, and no sound was reported. The moon was visible at the time. According to the observer, the object did not conform to any known meteorological events.

The Air Force investigation noted that the object's description and trajectory could indicate a meteor, but the observer stated that it did not exhibit the typical tail or burning characteristic of a meteor. The case file suggests that Satellite ECHO I (a large inflatable communications satellite launched in 1960) was heading southeast at the time of the sighting and in a position to be observed. However, the lack of detailed observational data and duration of the sighting made a complete evaluation difficult. The case was ultimately classified as insufficient data for evaluation, though the Air Force noted that the most probable cause of the sighting was Satellite ECHO I.

A separate sighting was also recorded in Dayton, Ohio on the same date. At 8:46 p.m. local time, a witness reported an object brighter than the brightest visible star, appearing as a bright star in flight from southwest to northeast. The object was observed at an initial elevation of 86 degrees and was characteristic of a satellite sighting. The Air Force confirmed that Satellite ECHO I was north of Dayton at an elevation of 56 degrees at 10:48 p.m., heading northeast, placing it in position to be observed. This case was evaluated as consistent with a satellite sighting.

The full case file, containing 25 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.

Reported location

36.25N 155.52E (Pacific), June 1963

Date of incident

June 1963

State / country

? / XX

Page count

25 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 48

Ld PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD sis oF TH ' [. oate 2. LOCATION 12. CONCLUSIONS | 1 00 Was Balloon | ] 17 June 1963 36.25N 155.528 (Pad fic) O Probably Bolloon "| 3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION b. FeRmay Delon J Loealiisr sin in Mastin CRE AX Ground-Visval O Ground-Rader 8 i 1 iy WIRES [ GMT_17/16387 Sie 0 Ain Visual O Air-Iintercept Rader 0 Possibly Aircraft "| 5. PHOTOS . RCE 0 Was Astronomical 1 O Yes O Probably Astronomical ; tio military 0 Possibly Astronomical | "| 7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS | 9. COURSE @ioher. El a | not reported one SE neath clont Data for Evaluation | [fo. BRIER SUMMARY OF siGHTING hE 11. COMMENTS Spherical white object generating intense Duration not reported. Possibly light light traveling at high speed, no tail or from A/c, however data incoclusive to ; sound, in flight from 85 deg elevation 280 establish this. Description could indicate ' | deg azimuth to 00 deg elevation 160 deg meteor however object was in flight and azimuth Flat trajectory. Appeared to travel disappeared over the horizon and did not : in straight line. Moon visible at time. Object exhibit tail or burning. MostpuoEEse (AF 1 4 | did not wonform to knowymeteorolical events cause of sighting is Satellite ECHO I : according to observer. which was heading SE at the time of the : | Sir eporis Without duration or added inform | How even arent VELerrrmp Tron TETAS is ation evaluation not complete and case = | REEEN EET NE Ge carred as insufficient Data. ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 52) / : ; : 4