S China Sea, September 1962September 1962

Insufficient Data

Summary

On September 11, 1962, the SS Illinois, a civilian ship in the South China Sea, observed an object moving from south to north that passed in front of the vessel and disappeared into clouds. The sighting lasted 4 to 6 seconds. One object was reported. The observation was ground-visual. The brief summary noted three possible explanations: the object was near the ship's proximity, sparks trailed behind it resembling a body length, and the object was thought to be satellite junk burning. The Air Force concluded the sighting was a meteor, noting that satellite decay indicators and G2A Sigma decay analysis were consistent with a meteor sighting evaluated on September 10.

Reported location

S China Sea, September 1962

Date of incident

September 1962

State / country

? / XX

Page count

3 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 46

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 3

View transcribed text

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

1. DATE: 11 September 1962
2. LOCATION: S China Sea
3. DATE OF GROUP: [blank]
4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION: Ground-Visual
5. PHOTOS: Yes
6. [blank]: Civilian SS Illinois
7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION: 4-6 seconds
8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS: one
9. COURSE: North
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING: Object moved from South to North passed in front of ship and disappeared into clouds. Dusk observation for 4-6 secs. Distinguished from meteor by 1) Near proximity to ship 2) sparks trailing object 3) body length. Thought to be satellite junk burning.
11. COMMENTS: None of the indications given are reasons for the object not being a meteor. Rather, all are indications of a meteor sighting in line with this analysis. Satellite decay of longer duration; although, G2A Sigma decayed on 10 September. Case evaluated as a meteor sighting.
12. CONCLUSIONS: [checked boxes for] Was Balloon, Probably Balloon, Possibly Balloon, Was Aircraft, Probably Aircraft, Possibly Aircraft, Was Astronomical [illegible], Probably Astronomical, Possibly Astronomical, Insufficient Date for Evaluation, Unknown

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28999040