UFO observed in Southeast Asia in 1963

Summary

In July 1963, a U.S. Navy officer reported observing a white object moving at high speed and altitude. The witness described it as the size of a first-magnitude star, visible for six minutes. The sighting occurred in Southeast Asia, at coordinates 22.02N 117.00E. Although it might initially appear as an aerial or astronomical phenomenon, the data matched the trajectory of the ECHO I satellite, which was crossing the equator heading south around that time. The observation was evaluated as a reliable sighting of the satellite, suggesting this report is part of the satellite tracking records of the era.

The Navy had an organized system for recording aerial and space observations, and this case was logged under Project 10073. Although no photos were taken, the report includes details on the direction, duration, and position of the object. The officer who reported the sighting, Commander H.K. Hopper, was considered a highly reliable source. The match between the calculated position of the ECHO I satellite and the sighting confirms that the observed object was indeed a satellite. This type of documentation was common during the Cold War, when space surveillance was a strategic priority.