Tellus - 1962 12

Magazine Overview

Title: Tellus
Issue: JULNUMMER (Christmas Issue)
Date: December 1962
Publisher: FATE Magazine, USA
Original Language: Swedish

This issue of Tellus, dated December 1962, presents a collection of articles focusing on alleged Soviet space program failures and cover-ups, alongside reports of UFO sightings and investigations. The magazine adopts a critical stance towards official explanations and highlights the mysterious circumstances surrounding several space missions.

The Vanished Russian Astronauts

The lead article, by Frank Edwards, details the disappearance and presumed deaths of several Soviet cosmonauts. It begins by referencing Nikita Khrushchev's infamous shoe-banging incident at the UN and his abrupt departure from New York, suggesting underlying tensions or problems.

The article recounts the planned launch of Piotr Dolgov, a famous pilot and parachutist, as the first man in space. Dolgov was reportedly chosen and congratulated by Khrushchev himself. The launch was scheduled for October 11, 1960. However, tracking stations in Turkey, Japan, and Sweden picked up signals from a satellite launch, with faint, mumbled words heard before silence. Dolgov was lost. The article suggests that political expediency took precedence over scientific training for this mission.

It is revealed that Dolgov died on October 11, 1960. Later, on November 28, 1960, another unidentified Soviet cosmonaut perished in space, sending desperate SOS signals that were intercepted by a listening station in Turin, Italy. The morse code transmissions indicated a plea for help: "Jorden - SOS SOS Jorden - SOS-SOS..."

Another tragic case mentioned is that of Terentiy Shiborin, who was selected for a space flight in a Lunik II capsule in February 1959. After reporting for several minutes, his signals abruptly ceased, and the capsule was believed to have burned up in the atmosphere.

The magazine also reports on a two-man Soviet space mission detected on February 2, 1961, by the Turin station. The cosmonauts' breathing and heartbeats became increasingly rapid before suddenly stopping. Professor A.G. Dogliotti analyzed the recording and concluded the astronaut likely died from shock caused by the launch.

Despite these losses, the successful launches of Gagarin and Titov overshadowed the failures. The article notes that Gagarin's flight on April 12, 1961, was tracked by international stations, confirming his orbit. A subsequent mission involving two cosmonauts in the same capsule, launched around May 17, 1961, also had its signals tracked. The male cosmonaut reported that everything was satisfactory, but the transmissions ceased after seven days.

Further details emerge about a two-man mission on May 24, 1961. The cosmonauts' final transmissions indicated they saw something alarming that caused them distress before their signals were lost. The article suggests that these events were not publicly acknowledged by Moscow.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The magazine also features reports on UFO sightings and their investigation, particularly concerning the US Air Force's (USAF) stance.

An article discusses the USAF's long-standing interest in unidentified flying objects (UFOs) dating back to Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting. A 1959 directive from the USAF instructed personnel to identify 'unidentified flying objects' as a matter of urgency. However, the article points out that the USAF has often publicly denied the existence of UFOs, contradicting its internal directives.

A significant case detailed is that of Captain Peter Kilien of American Airlines, who reported seeing three unidentified, brightly lit objects following his plane on February 24, 1959. Despite the detailed report and witness accounts, the USAF's investigation was superficial, and they issued three conflicting official explanations: misidentification of stars, unreliability of witnesses, and a mid-air refueling operation. Kilien refuted all these explanations, stating the objects moved at an impossible speed.

Another section covers a report from the British Flying Causer Review regarding a circular issued by the USAF that cited American Airlines' statement about Captain Kilien's sighting. The article suggests the USAF's explanations were contradictory and aimed at discrediting witnesses, possibly to protect their 'space espionage' efforts.

An article from Kvällsposten interviews Captain Sven Åke Goentorp, described as Sweden's 'UFO inspector.' Goentorp notes a decline in UFO reports, suggesting that the way the military has handled such cases may discourage people from reporting. He believes that while most sightings can be explained, about five percent remain unexplained. Goentorp also expresses skepticism about interplanetary craft visiting Earth but finds it unrealistic to believe that spaceships are only launched from Earth.

Cover Story

The cover of this December 1962 issue of Tellus features a stylized drawing of the Earth with a UFO hovering above it, accompanied by the magazine's title. Below the title, the issue details are listed as 'M.I.S., JULNUMMER, DEC. 1962.' A festive illustration of Santa Claus wishing 'God Helg' (Happy Holidays) is also present, contrasting with the serious content of the articles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the secrecy and failures within the Soviet space program, the loss of cosmonauts, and the alleged cover-ups by both Soviet and American authorities regarding UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards official narratives and a strong interest in uncovering the truth behind unexplained events in space and the skies. The magazine champions the idea that UFOs are a serious subject worthy of investigation, despite official attempts to dismiss or explain away sightings.

This document is a scanned page from what appears to be a Swedish publication, likely a magazine or newsletter, dated implicitly as 1963 due to a New Year's greeting. The main article, titled 'Ifologer: De är från Venus' (UFOlogists: They are from Venus), discusses the topic of UFO sightings and public perception in Sweden.

Article: 'Ifologer: De är från Venus'

The article begins by addressing a claim made by the publication 'Kvällsposten' that there are only 300 'saucer believers' in Sweden, who are allegedly part of the 'Ifologiska Sällskapet' (UFO-Sweden Society). The author, Rune Persson, strongly refutes this assertion, labeling it as 'almost pure lies.'

Persson then presents the views of Ing. Ivan Troeng, the chairman of the UFO-Sweden Society. Troeng agrees with the author's assessment of the situation. He suggests that the low number of reported sightings is not due to a lack of phenomena but rather because people are hesitant to report what they have seen, fearing disbelief and ridicule. Troeng also points out that the attitude of authorities has not been encouraging for witnesses.

However, Troeng notes a recent positive shift in official attitudes. He also draws a parallel to the advancements in space travel, suggesting that interplanetary traffic is not an unthinkable concept. A significant point raised by Troeng is the theory that the visits of extraterrestrial objects to Earth are a response to nuclear weapon tests conducted by humans, which he believes threaten the balance of space.

The article then criticizes Kvällsposten for concluding its own article by citing UFO-Nachrichten as evidence of a 'feverish attitude' among some individuals. Persson argues that this quote is taken completely out of its context and therefore has no value. He emphasizes that a statement in UFO-Nachrichten does not necessarily reflect the publication's official stance, just as a single letter to the editor does not represent a daily newspaper's overall position. Persson concludes this point by stating how easily information can be distorted through selective quoting, implying that journalist Jan Olsson should be aware of this practice.

Editorial Note

A handwritten note at the bottom of the page from 'Styrelsen' (The Board) wishes 'Er alla ett Gott Nytt 1963' (A Happy New Year 1963 to you all).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme is the public perception and reporting of UFO phenomena, particularly in Sweden. The article challenges a specific media claim about the number of UFO enthusiasts and highlights the role of societal skepticism and official attitudes in suppressing witness reports. There's an underlying theme of media criticism, accusing Kvällsposten of misrepresenting information through out-of-context quotes. The editorial stance, as represented by Rune Persson and Ivan Troeng, is one of advocating for a more open and less dismissive approach to UFO reports, while also suggesting potential explanations for UFO activity, such as nuclear testing. The piece implicitly supports the idea that UFOs are a serious subject worthy of investigation and that interplanetary travel is a possibility.