NASA Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (May 31, 2023 Meeting)
NASA has decided to refer to Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, in line with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The agency is commissioning an independent study, not an academy study, to examine UAP from a scientific perspective, aiming to establish a method for evaluating and studying these phenomena using data, technology, and scientific tools. This study is separate from the Department of Defense’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office.
The study’s findings will be publicly released in mid-2023 and a full public meeting of the UAP Independent Study Team is expected in late spring/early summer 2023. Following the release, NASA will hold a public meeting to discuss the findings.
The Independent Study Team is composed of scientists, data and AI practitioners, and aerospace safety experts active in the UAP community. They will periodically meet to discuss potential data sources and propose a roadmap for future NASA UAP data analyses. The team does not require security clearance as they are only studying unclassified data.
This study is supported by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, and does not link to any NASA flight missions or other programs. To date, NASA has found no credible evidence that UAPs are of extraterrestrial origin. The agency does, however, fund research into biosignatures and technosignatures, signs of biology and technology respectively, to further understand potential life beyond Earth.
NASA’s budget for this study aligns with other external review groups convened each year through its Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES) calls. It has not set up a specific program for UAP search, hence no associated programmatic funding.
A summary of the top questions, people want to know:
- Do we possess a variety of sensor data that reveals anomalous behavior in object maneuvers, including visual evidence such as photos or videos?
- Is there documented evidence of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) or UFOs traversing from space to Earth’s atmosphere, or emerging from oceans or significant water bodies?
- Is there any compelling evidence suggesting that UAPs are manipulated or generated by non-human intelligences?
- Has there been an instance where NASA interrupted the live NASA TV broadcast to conceal the presence of a self-propelled UAP? If affirmative, could the specific dates and times be provided?
- Did NASA recover the two missing containers alleged to carry UAP materials from the Kecksburg incident in 1965, as stated in Leslie Kean’s 2007 lawsuit?
- Has NASA established communication with Dr. Garry Nolan at Stanford University regarding the UAP materials he’s reportedly examining?
- In the duration of space missions, has there been any communication between NASA, NORAD, or other entities about potential or confirmed UAP sightings, irrespective of whether they pose a threat?
- Has there ever been a case where NASA presented deceptive information to the public about the UFO phenomena? If yes, could the correct versions for the top three significant instances be disclosed?
- Are NASA astronauts bound by any form of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) or security clearances which prohibit them from discussing UAP-related experiences?
- Do astronauts and mission control employ coded language during encounters or detection of UAPs? If affirmative, what is the terminology and the reasoning behind its use?
NASA has established the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Independent Study Team (UAPIST), a subsidiary group of the Earth Science Advisory Committee (ESAC). This was decided by the Director of the Earth Science Division, after consulting with senior administrators. The UAPIST will examine Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) from a scientific standpoint, leveraging data and scientific tools to further understanding.
The group was formed in response to a 2021 report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which concluded that the lack of high-quality reports on UAP hindered understanding and suggested that the phenomena may pose risks to national security and airspace safety. The report advocated for better consolidation of reports, standardized reporting, increased data collection and analysis, and a more efficient screening process to enhance UAP understanding.
The UAPIST is tasked with reporting on various questions related to the scientific data, analysis techniques, and physical constraints associated with UAP, as well as data on UAPs collected by government agencies and recommendations for future data collection and reporting.
The team will consist of 8-12 members, appointed by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, with a diversity of thought and expertise. Members will be drawn from U.S. academic, independent, and commercial institutions, and will be designated as Special Government Employees or Representatives. The team will hold up to three meetings a year and will deliver a comprehensive report of its findings and recommendations to the ESAC.
The UAPIST will receive organizational support from the Science Mission Directorate, including meeting and logistical support. The Terms of Reference for the team can be terminated at the discretion of the Director of the Earth Sciences Division, after consultation with the Associate Administrator of the Science Mission Directorate, or in one year, whichever comes first.
Meeting will occur on https://www.youtube.com/nasa
