UFO sighted in the Gulf of Mexico in 1963

Summary

In July 1963, a British ship in the Gulf of Mexico reported a sky object that appeared to be a satellite. The observer saw it for 7 and a half minutes, describing an erratic course toward the southeast. The object disappeared near the star Vega, at an altitude of 56 degrees. Although other possibilities were considered, the data matched the trajectory of the ECHO I satellite, suggesting it was a satellite. This sighting was recorded by NASA and analyzed by experts, adding another piece to the history of satellite and space observations from that era.

The exact location of the sighting was at coordinates 13.58N and 81.38W, and the report included details such as the time, position, and weather conditions. The ship, the Leith Hill, was en route from Panama to Houston when the officer on board recorded the phenomenon. The report was shared with NASA, which used it to confirm the position of the ECHO I satellite on that date. Although other explanations were not ruled out, the match with orbital calculations supported the conclusion that it was a satellite.