Project 10073 Record Card and Naval Message — Sighting of Unidentified Object, 3 August 1961

On August 3, 1961, at 040850Z, personnel aboard the USS FORSTER in the Pacific Ocean (42-30N 173-08W) observed an unidentified aerial object. The sighting lasted for approximately 15 minutes. The object was described as a round, white, star-like light, comparable in brightness to a first-magnitude star and appearing the size of a pea. It was first sighted at an elevation of 8 degrees on a bearing of 240 degrees True. The object moved overhead without any deviation in course or speed and eventually disappeared over the horizon on a bearing of 066 degrees True. The observation was made using binoculars by SA V.L. McBeth, USN, and was subsequently confirmed by the Officer of the Deck, the Commanding Officer, and five bridge watch standers. Weather conditions at the time were reported as clear to partly cloudy with a ceiling of 20,000 feet and unlimited visibility. A BARPAC aircraft was in the vicinity at a bearing of 230 degrees and 60 miles away but did not sight the object. Additionally, an unidentified surface contact was noted at 232 degrees, 30 miles away, on a course of 034 degrees at a speed of 18 knots. No electronic countermeasures (ECM) contact was reported by either the BARPAC aircraft or the USS FORSTER. Official analysis conducted under Project 10073 concluded that the object was likely a satellite. Although specific satellite tracking information was not obtained, the reporting officials noted that the object displayed all the characteristics of the Echo I satellite and was therefore assumed to be such.