Project 10073 Record Card — Sighting of 6 September 1962

On September 6, 1962, multiple airline pilots reported a sighting of a shiny silver object while flying at altitudes between 31,000 and 35,000 feet. The sightings occurred across a flight path from Denver, Colorado, to Hector, California. The object was observed by crews from TWA and American Airlines flights. The reports indicated the object was flying parallel to the aircraft at altitudes estimated between 75,000 and 80,000 feet. The Air Force evaluated the reports and concluded that the object was the planet Jupiter, which was visible in the southern sky. The report notes that the perceived movement to the west was consistent with the aircraft's own flight path, which would cause a stationary object like a planet to appear to maintain its position relative to the aircraft. The document includes detailed technical data regarding the weather conditions at the time of the sighting, noting thunderstorms in all quadrants and a ceiling of 12,000 feet. The Air Force determined that no further action was required, as the pilots were unavailable for interview and the explanation of the planet Jupiter was sufficient to account for the observation. NORAD/SPADATS was notified to ensure the object was not connected to Sputnik 4.