Project 10073 Record Card — Sighting by USS Lansing, 16 June 1963

On 16 June 1963, the USS Lansing reported a sighting of an unidentified aerial object in the Pacific Ocean at coordinates 28.30N 162.20W. The object was observed for approximately 11 minutes, from 0631Z to 0642Z. The witness described the object as having an 85-degree elevation and appearing similar to a first-magnitude star or planet. The object was noted to have a bearing of 030 degrees before fading. Weather conditions at the time were reported as clear with no unusual phenomena and seas at two feet. The 326 Air Division KUNIA facility in Hawaii conducted an evaluation of the report. Based on orbital data, it was determined that the ECHO I satellite crossed the equator at 0612Z, heading northeast at 198 degrees west of the meridian (162E), which placed it in the appropriate position for the observation made by the USS Lansing. Consequently, the case was officially evaluated as an observation of the ECHO I satellite and deemed to pose no threat. The report was disseminated through various military channels, including CINCPACAF, CINCNORAD, and the Department of the Air Force, with copies delivered to NIN, DIA, and XOPX.