Project 10073 Record Card — Sighting of 3 May 1963

On May 3, 1963, a series of reports were filed regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed in the vicinity of Ocean Station Victor in the Pacific Ocean (29-57N 140-03W). The object was first reported at 0015Z by OSV November, described as a large silver-colored balloon. The object remained in sight for over an hour, drifting slowly toward the east-southeast. Multiple aircraft, including Pan Am Flight 818, United Flight 99, United Flight 85, and various MATS flights, reported the object. Observations from passing jet aircraft at altitudes of 33,000 and 35,000 feet indicated the balloon was well above their flight paths. Subsequent descriptions characterized the object as being constructed of a thin, translucent, silver-colored material, generally spherical in shape, with a diameter estimated between 50 and 100 feet. Witnesses noted that the object appeared to change shape due to wind action. Despite the initial classification of the sighting as a UFO, military authorities conducted an evaluation and concluded that the object was a balloon. The final assessment by the military command was that the object posed no threat.