PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD — 23 Feb 1962 Sighting

On February 23, 1962, at 1149Z, a bright white object was observed by personnel aboard the USS Talladega, located at 16-32N 119-31E, near Luzon, Philippines. The object was initially sighted at an altitude of 46 degrees on a bearing of 156 degrees. Witnesses described the object as having one-half the size and the same magnitude as the star Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion. The observation lasted for approximately seven minutes, during which time the object moved to an altitude of 21 degrees on a bearing of 148 degrees before disappearing into the haze. The weather conditions at the time were reported as a dark night with a clear atmosphere, a barometer reading of 29.77 inches, an air temperature of 80 degrees, a sea water temperature of 80 degrees, and winds from 355 degrees at 15 knots. The sighting was formally recorded on a Project 10073 record card. The official conclusion reached by the military authorities was that the object was the Echo I satellite. This identification was supported by the ship's position and the object's trajectory.