From: UFO INFO SERVICE
Date Sent: 09-23-1986
  Subject: 1966 SATEL.TERMED UNKNOWN

SOURCE:   NYT (DC)
  DATE:   01 NOVEMBER 1966


THREE SATELLITES TERMED UNKNOWN

NASA's Goddard Flight Center in its Sept 30 & Oct 15 issues of the
Satellite Situation Report has listed 3 `unknowns' among the many
satellites, rocket bodies and space debris orbiting the earth.	NORAD
continuously monitors all orbiting objects from more than 100 radar
stations around the globe. Information is also fed to NORAD by
volunteers of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's `Moonwatch'
teams, by airline pilots and others.

It is the first time the report has listed `unknowns' among the
identified orbiting objects.  Since the objects are not considered to
constitute any danger military officials argued against listing them
until they could be identified, fearing that `flying saucer' enthusiasts
would cite the objects as evidence the earth had extraterrestrial
visitors.

NORAD contends it has tracked objects as small as 1 foot in length,
though the Satellite Situation Report omits any reference to the size &
weight of listed satellites.  2 of the unknowns are in an orbit inclined
at 85 degrees to the equator - an inclination close to those sometimes
used for military launchings from Vandenberg AFB, CA; the other's orbit
is inclined at 35 degrees to the equator - a launching angle sometimes
used from Cape Kennedy, FL.  1 of the 2 in an 85 degree orbit swings
from a low point of 385 miles above the earth to 3,944 miles; the other
dips to 459 miles and swings out to 3,802 miles.