Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record Card - 15 Mar 61
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AI-Generated Summary
A high-altitude object was observed over the Atlantic on March 15, 1961. Due to ambiguous magnitude data, investigators could not confirm if the object was the Echo I satellite.
On March 15, 1961, a military report was generated regarding an unidentified airborne object observed at high altitude over the Atlantic at coordinates 37°35'N, 09°14'W. The sighting, which lasted for 13 minutes, was documented via a Project 10073 record card and a supporting staff message from CINCLANTFLT. The object was described as having a magnitude of 1.7. Its trajectory was tracked relative to celestial bodies; at 1948Z, it passed 45 minutes below the star Rigel, and at 1952Z, it passed 3 degrees below the star Sirius. The object eventually disappeared at an altitude of 12 degrees and a bearing of 161 degrees. The official evaluation by ATIC noted that if the object's brightness was of a negative magnitude, it might have been the Echo I satellite. However, because the original report failed to specify whether the 1.7 magnitude was positive or negative, the investigators concluded that a valid identification could not be reached, leaving the case as having insufficient data.
Therefore, a valid conclusion cannot be reached.
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Official Assessment
If brightness of objt was a minus (-) magnitude, it is possible that objt was satellite Echo I. However, report does not indicate whether the reported magnitude was minus (-) or plus (+) 1.7. Therefore, a valid conclusion cannot be reached.
The object's identity could not be confirmed due to ambiguity regarding its magnitude, which prevented a definitive identification as the Echo I satellite.