Declassified UFO / UAP Document
UFO Observation, St Augustine, Florida, 1 May 65
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AI-Generated Summary
A civilian report of a UFO in St. Augustine, Florida, on May 1, 1965, was evaluated by the Air Force's Foreign Technology Division. The object was officially identified as the ECHO I satellite, with reported anomalous movements attributed to atmospheric conditions.
This document collection details a UFO sighting report from St. Augustine, Florida, on May 1, 1965. A civilian witness, along with three other boys, observed a fast-moving, bright object in the sky between 9:00 P.M. and 9:05 P.M. The witness described the object as moving at high speed, dimming and brightening, and eventually stopping completely before disappearing. The witness submitted a report, including a hand-drawn diagram of the object's path, to the Air Force. The Foreign Technology Division (FTD) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base evaluated the report. Major Hector Quintanilla Jr., Chief of Aerial Phenomena, concluded that the object was the ECHO I satellite. The official explanation provided to the witness stated that the satellite passed near the zenith at 65 degrees elevation, heading southeast. The Air Force explained that the perceived motion, such as stopping or changing brilliance, was due to atmospheric conditions at the time of the observation. The correspondence includes a letter from Lt. Colonel John E. Spaulding to the witness, confirming the evaluation and thanking them for their report. The file also contains the original inquiry from the witness requesting information on UFOs, which prompted the Air Force to provide the Project Blue Book report.
The motion of satellites, while constant, may appear to waiver, stop or change in brilliance due to atmospheric conditions at the time of the observations.
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Official Assessment
Satellite (ECHO I). ECHO I passed to the North of St. Augustine, Florida, near the zenith at 65 degrees elevation moving southeast at 9:04 PM on 1 May.
The observation was evaluated as a satellite. The reported motion, including stopping or changing brilliance, was attributed to atmospheric conditions.
Witnesses
Key Persons
- JOHN E. SPAULDINGLt Colonel, USAF, Chief, Civil Branch, Community Relations Division, Office of Information
- Mrs HuntRecipient of correspondence