UFO identified as satellite Echo I in 1961

Summary

In May 1961, an officer observed a white, round object in the Atlantic, similar in size to a first-magnitude star. The sighting lasted 20 minutes and was confirmed by several crew members. They used binoculars, a sextant, and direct visual observation. The object moved from southwest to northeast, finally disappearing into the horizon haze.

The exact location was 41°50'N, 33°36'W, and the report concluded the object was the Echo I satellite. Although initially uncertain, the final identification was clear. This case shows how even in the 1960s, unidentified object sightings were rigorously investigated by the military.