PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD - Sighting Report 25 July 1961

On July 25, 1961, the crew of the SS Flying A California reported two sightings of an unidentified aerial object while at sea. The first sighting occurred between 0700Z and 0710Z at coordinates 25-07N, 151-53W, where the object moved from the southwest to the east, reaching a maximum elevation of 50 degrees. Two hours later, between 0900Z and 0910Z, the object was sighted again at 24-50N, 152-20W, moving from the west to the north-northeast with a maximum elevation of 60 degrees. The object was described as white in color and comparable in size to a first-magnitude star. The report was submitted by the ship's master upon arrival in Honolulu on July 26, 1961, and was witnessed by the ship's navigator and three other crew members on the bridge. Weather conditions at the time were noted as having moderate northeast seas and detached clouds. Following an evaluation by the District Intelligence Office, the phenomenon was officially attributed to a satellite, most likely Echo I, based on the observed trajectory, duration, and general characteristics of the sightings.