4239N 4212W (W. of AZORES), January 1961January 1961

Insufficient Data

Summary

On January 19, 1961, at 0905Z, a Navy pilot flying near 42 degrees 39 minutes north, 42 degrees 12 minutes west over the Atlantic reported one object. He was flying at 6,000 feet at 195 knots on a heading of 123 degrees.

The object first appeared close to the planet Mars, then opened away rapidly on a course of about 083 degrees true. It was of a magnitude somewhat less than Mars. The object was held in sight for about 5 to 10 minutes before disappearing over the horizon. Its altitude at the start of the sighting was about 45 degrees.

The Air Force conclusion was other, a probable satellite. The comment notes the straight flight path, the duration, and the easterly movement all point to a probable satellite.

Reported location

4239N 4212W (W. of AZORES), January 1961

Date of incident

January 1961

State / country

? / XX

Page count

2 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 41

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 2

View transcribed text

.. "+ PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD oo!
1. DATE 2. LOCATION ( 0) Nz CONCLUSIONS
W.ep 4Z2cfes O Wos Bolloon
19 Jan 61 4L239N  k212w O Probably Balloon
3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4 TYPE OF OBSERVATION Torna. en |
RI a i 0 Ground- Visual O Ground-Rodar a Eo A erily
GMT 09057 XXAir Visual 0 Air-Intercept Radar D Possibly Aircraft
5. ‘PHOTOS | . SOURCE O Was Astronomical
O Yes OD Probably Astronomical
Ne Milit OD Possibly Astronomical
7. LENGTH OF.OBSERVATION * NUMBER OF OBJECTS | 9. COURSE B Other Prob satellite |
. O Insufficient Data for Evaluation
O Unknown
5-10 min one E
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING 195Kts at 6,000 heading |!) COMMENTSStrajght flight path and dura- |
123° sighted object on heading of 083° true in| tion along with easterly movement indicate
sight 5-10 min. Object magnitude less than probable satellite.
Mars disappeared over horizon object 45° alt
at sighting.
ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 52)
: 7 .
ARR SRR hs a SE IR Gn hi J ’ A
ll

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28991125