Project 10073 Record Card: Sighting of 27 March 1963

On 27 March 1963, at approximately 0224Z, the crew of the USS Sculpin observed an unidentified flying object while conducting navigational star sightings. The object was described as circular, appearing the size of a pinhead, and illuminated like a star with no visible aircraft lights. Three officers—LT Parks, LTJG Howse, and LT Akers—observed the object for a duration of nine minutes. The object followed a straight flight path from west to east, moving from an altitude of approximately 53 degrees to 30 degrees before disappearing behind a cloud. The observers utilized binoculars and a sextant during the sighting. LCDR R.W. Dickieson, the Commanding Officer of the USS Sculpin, evaluated the object as a probable satellite. The official Project 10073 record card confirms this classification, noting that the sighting characteristics were consistent with a satellite observation. A subsequent internal note from Major Quintanilla on 23 March 1964 acknowledged the classification but pointed out a discrepancy in the record card regarding the reported flight direction, noting that the original report correctly identified the path as west to east, whereas the card incorrectly stated east to west.