UFO observed in the Pacific identified as Echo I

Summary

A 1961 naval report describes the sighting of a round object the size of a planet seen from a destroyer in the Pacific. The object was observed for five minutes, disappearing in a southeast direction. Although observers thought it could be a satellite, it wasn't confirmed with space tracking. It was finally concluded to be likely the satellite Echo I.

The report details that the object was seen at 20° elevation and disappeared at 8°, with a straight trajectory. Several officers confirmed the sighting, and although no photos were taken, there was no conflicting data. This case shows how military observers often linked unidentified objects to known satellites of the time.