Sighting of a UFO in Springfield 1961

Summary

In August 1961, a bright object was observed in Springfield, Massachusetts, for about 15 to 20 minutes. It was described as a round object the size of a half-dollar coin, very bright, following a straight path with frequent stops or decelerations. Five civilian witnesses noted the object stopping and moving irregularly, which caused confusion. The official conclusion suggested it was likely the satellite Echo I, which was in orbit at the time. The apparent flickering light was due to the satellite tumbling, causing its brightness to change.

The report details that the witnesses were familiar with aircraft due to their proximity to Westover Air Force Base. However, the object made no sound and its behavior was not typical of an aircraft. The description matched the trajectory of Echo I, which passed through the northeast quadrant of the sky. Although initially surprising, the data confirmed it was a satellite in orbit, not an unknown phenomenon.