Project 10073 Record Card and Incoming Message — 21 Feb 61

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and an associated incoming Department of the Air Force staff message regarding a UFO sighting reported on February 21, 1961. The sighting occurred at 2030 local time near Baltimore, Maryland, involving a pilot on United DC-8 Flight 809. The pilot observed a white object, described as being the size of a star, at a 35-degree angle of elevation above the horizon and approximately 10 degrees north of the planet Venus. The pilot, concerned about a potential collision, queried an FAA controller regarding radar traffic in his flight path, but the controller reported no radar contact. The object was observed for approximately 10 minutes while the aircraft was flying at 31,000 feet on a heading of 260 degrees magnetic. The object was reported to be moving on a heading of approximately 060 degrees magnetic. The investigation was conducted by TSGT Frank W. Meyer of the 793rd ACW Squadron. Although a weather balloon had been launched in the area on February 22, 1961, the forecaster determined it would not have affected the sighting. The official conclusion reached by the Air Technical Intelligence Center was that the object was the Echo I satellite, as all reported characteristics were consistent with that satellite, and no conflicting information was received.