Project 10073 Record Card and Naval Message — Sighting of 4 July 1963

On 4 July 1963, at 1125Z, personnel aboard a ship located at 26.04N 127.53E in the Far East observed an unidentified object. The object appeared as a first-magnitude white star and was described as a pinpoint when viewed through 7-power binoculars. The witnesses, including the Commanding Officer, an Ensign, a Lookout, and a Lieutenant Junior Grade, tracked the object as it moved from 200 degrees azimuth at 10 degrees elevation to 085 degrees azimuth at 17 degrees elevation. The object maintained a steady flight path, reaching a maximum altitude of 25 degrees before disappearing suddenly. The total duration of the observation was six minutes. The weather conditions were reported as a clear night with unlimited ceiling and two-tenths cumulus cloud coverage. No air traffic was sighted during the event. The report was prepared by the Commanding Officer, who suggested the object was a satellite. Subsequent evaluation by ATIC concluded that the object was indeed a satellite, noting that while the satellite ECHO was not visible at the observer's location, other visible satellites such as 1961 Beta Theta were potential candidates. The case was officially closed as a satellite observation.