4230N 17308W (PACIFIC), August 1961August 1961

Insufficient Data

Summary

On August 3, 1961, near Guam, military personnel reported a sighting. A round object the size of a pea and bright as a first magnitude star was observed. It moved and changed brightness, attracting attention at a bearing of 240 degrees elevation eight degrees. The object passed overhead with no deviation from course and disappeared over the horizon on bearing 266 degrees. The sighting lasted 15 minutes. Ground observation was made with binoculars. First sighting was at 4:48 a.m. and the object disappeared at 4:09 a.m. The object was observed at night at bearing 42 degrees north, 173 degrees east. The sighting was reported to the commanding officer and five bridge watch standers. The object was considered to be a satellite by the commanding officer. A BARPAC aircraft on bearing 230 degrees 60 miles away did not sight the object. An unidentified surface contact was detected 30 miles on course 284 at speed 18 knots, but no radar contact was made. The Air Force evaluation was unknown.

Reported location

4230N 17308W (PACIFIC), August 1961

Date of incident

August 1961

State / country

? / XX

Page count

3 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 43

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 3

View transcribed text

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

1. DATE
3 Aug 61

2. LOCATION
Guam 1730Z (PACIFIC)

3. DATE-TIME GROUP
Local
GMT 0405Z
5. PHOTOS
Yes
No

4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION
Ground-Visual     Ground-Radar
Air-Visual        Air-Intercept Radar

5. SOURCE
Military

7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION
15 min

8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS
1

9. COURSE
No

12. CONCLUSIONS
Was Balloon
Probably Balloon
Possibly Balloon
Was Aircraft
Probably Aircraft
Possibly Aircraft
Was Astronomical
Probably Astronomical
Possibly Astronomical
Prob unexplained
Insufficient Date for Evaluation
Unknown

10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING
Civic report. Round white object, 2430 T, 8 deg elevation with no deviation course or speed disappeared on hassing 26 degrees. In sight 15 min. Considered satellite by reporting officials.

11. COMMENTS All info points to orbital object. Satellite track info not obtained however all characteristics of Echo 1 present and object is assumed to be satellite.

ATIC FORM 329 (REV 28 SEP 52)

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28993876