UFO seen in San Antonio in 1961

Summary

In May 1961, a civilian in San Antonio observed a bright, circular object in the sky. The witness described it as the size of a half-dollar coin and intensely white in color. The object appeared at a 45-degree elevation and suddenly disappeared behind trees after 3 to 5 minutes of observation. It maintained a steady flight path without maneuvers or speed changes. The sighting was recorded as a ground visual observation, and no photos were taken.

The official conclusion suggested the object was likely the Echo I satellite, which was in orbit at the time. The report was deemed reliable, and other explanations such as balloons or aircraft were ruled out. The satellite was known to pass over the area on the reported dates, supporting the theory. Although the witness did not initially identify the object, the coordinates and description matched the known trajectory of Echo I, closing the case without further investigation.