Navy Satellite Feared To Have Missed Orbit

The Navy launched yesterday morning a 21 1/2-pound satellite equipped to study weather patterns and cloud cover on the earth. Strong signals were received from the satellite at several tracking stations, but there is doubt in the mind of Vanguard chief scientist John P. Hagan that the satellite is still orbiting.

Meanwhile, reports of one or more objects flashing across the sky late Thursday night were received at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.