San Angelo, TexasFebruary 1961

Unidentified

Summary

On February 16, 1961, a civilian in San Angelo, Texas, reported a reflective light in the sky for about 15 minutes. The witness was a 35 year old petroleum geologist described as very reliable. He used 7 by 35 binoculars to help observe the object.

The witness said the object looked very similar to the Echo 1 satellite in shape, size, and brightness. It showed only a shimmering reflective light, with no color of its own. It was first noticed due south at an azimuth of 70 to 75 degrees, then moved north on a heading of about 360 degrees. It disappeared about 45 degrees above the horizon. It followed a straight path like a satellite, with no maneuvers.

A check found no air traffic or balloon releases in the area. The Air Force card notes that satellites in a north and south orbit are too small to be seen with the naked eye, and that light conditions would prevent seeing a small satellite. A balloon was considered possible. Because there were no other witnesses, the report was evaluated as insufficient data.

Reported location

San Angelo, Texas

Date of incident

February 1961

State / country

TX / US

Page count

6 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unidentified

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 41

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 6

View transcribed text

fod PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD = ~~
1. DATE | i LOCATION 12. CONCLUSIONS
¢ OO Wos Balloon
bh 16 Feb 61 San Angelo, Texas QO Probably Belloon
| 3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4 TYPE OF OBSERVATION TT.
[IPO LL RO SRY ¥XGround- Vi sual O Ground-Rodar a Brey Severe
GMT 1701202 0 Air Visual 0 Air-Intercept Radar DO Possibly Aircraft
3 5. PHOTOS . O Was Astionomicol
: a Yes OD Probably Astronomical
BNe | Civilian OD Possibly Astronomical
7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION _______ | 8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS | 9. COURSE |D Otherem— —
ym aT mme— " apie der | sibs >] Insufficient Date for Evalvetion
0 Unknown
| 15 min. 1 S-N /
| 10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING » reflective light|s. COMMENTSAL1]l satellites in a N and S
: ery similar to Echo I in appearance. Object orbit are too small to be seen with nakdd
8 noticed at a position due S. Azimuth 70-75°. |eye, and light conditions prevalent at
Ek Object was moved on a heading aprox 360°. time of sighting would prevent a small
: Disappeared 45° above horizon. No maneuvers. satellite fm being seen. Balloon poss-
i ~ | ibly launched fm a position S of observer's
1 location unknown to reporting officer.
1 3 Balloon was possibly reflecting rays of
1 3 sun which had already set. However, due
| 8 to lack of corroborating witnesses, this
report is evaluated as Insufficient Dats.
: ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 52)
3 i : a . 8 .
] AR alsin csi iii ;

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28991459