Unidentified flying object sighted by military in the Atlantic in 1961

Summary

In February 1961, a military crew observed an unidentified object for 20 minutes over the Atlantic at high altitude. The object was visually spotted from an aircraft, without radar or photographs. It moved from a bearing of 270° to 130°, with changes in elevation. Although conventional explanations like balloons, aircraft, or astronomical phenomena were ruled out, observers concluded it could be a satellite. However, no precise trajectory was obtained.

The report, filed under Project 10073, was sent to several military and air defense units. The object's description and behavior suggested it was not a conventional phenomenon, but the lack of precise data prevented a conclusive evaluation. This case reflects the uncertainty and interest of military forces during the Cold War, when UFO sightings were common and often difficult to explain.