NASA has released a report following a yearlong study into UFOs, asserting that the study of these phenomena will require the application of new scientific techniques, including advanced satellite technology, and a shift in how unidentified flying objects are perceived.
An independent team commissioned by NASA emphasized that the negative stigma surrounding UFOs hinders the collection of data. However, NASA officials believe that the agency’s involvement will help reduce this stigma and promote a more scientific approach to studying what they term “UAPs” or unidentified anomalous phenomena.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated, “We want to shift the conversation about UAPs from sensationalism to science,” promising a transparent and open approach.
While the panel found no evidence of extraterrestrial origins for UAPs, Nelson acknowledged the vastness of the universe, with billions of stars and galaxies, suggesting that the possibility of life on another Earth-like planet cannot be ruled out. He added, “If you ask me, do I believe there’s life in a universe that is so vast that it’s hard for me to comprehend how big it is, my personal answer is yes.” NASA scientists estimated the likelihood of life on another Earth-like planet to be “at least a trillion.”
When questioned by reporters about whether the U.S. or other governments are concealing information about aliens or otherworldly spaceships, Nelson responded, “Show me the evidence.”
While NASA does not actively search for unexplained sightings, it operates a fleet of Earth-circling spacecraft that can investigate events, such as determining whether weather conditions may be responsible for unusual occurrences.
The 16-member panel highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence and machine learning in identifying rare events, including UFO sightings.
Recently, NASA appointed a director for UFO research but has kept their identity confidential to protect them from potential threats and harassment faced by panel members during the study. According to Dan Evans, NASA’s liaison with the panel, this decision aims to ensure that scientific research remains free and undergoes a rigorous and rational process.
The scientists, aviation experts, and retired NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent nearly a year in space, did not access top-secret files during their study. Instead, they relied on unclassified data to gain a better understanding of unexplained sightings in the sky.
Officials noted that there have been so few high-quality observations that no scientific conclusions can be drawn. Most of these events can be attributed to known causes such as planes, drones, balloons, or weather conditions, according to panel chairman David Spergel, who is also the president of the Simons Foundation, a scientific research group.
In government terminology, unexplained sightings are referred to as UAPs, as opposed to UFOs. NASA defines UAPs as observations in the sky or elsewhere that cannot be readily identified or scientifically explained.
The study was initiated a year ago and incurred a cost of less than $100,000.