NASA has entered the field of investigating unidentified flying objects but initially kept the program's leader's identity confidential due to the associated stigma. The appointment follows a year-long NASA report on "unidentified anomalous phenomena" (UAP). NASA Chief Bill Nelson emphasized the agency's commitment to exploration and curiosity-driven inquiry.
NASA Launches Official UFO Investigation Program Amidst Secrecy: A New Frontier in the Search for Unidentified Flying Objects
New NASA Team To Investigate UAPs
Last week, the American space agency released its UFO report, which shows no evidence of aliens but maintained that UAP remains a mystery. NASA also announced a new team has been created to investigate UAPs made up of 16 independent researchers. They are tasked to study UAPs with a rigorous, evidence-based approach.
NASA, with its advanced satellite capabilities and technical resources, is well-suited to play a significant role in this endeavor. However, the agency emphasized in the report that considering extraterrestrial origins should be the last resort, explored only after eliminating all other possibilities.
NASA aims to shift the UAP discussion from sensationalism to a scientific approach, according to the space agency's chief. Initially, the program leader's identity was kept secret, but NASA eventually revealed that Mark McInerney would lead UAP research. McInerney, with government experience dating back to 1996, previously served as NASA's liaison to the Pentagon regarding UAP matters.
Despite NASA's extensive exploration of space, investigating unexplained flying objects on Earth presents unique challenges. Numerous reports from military and civilian pilots describe strange sightings, but the public often dismisses the topic due to decades of alien-themed movies and science-fiction literature.
This context explains NASA's initial decision to withhold the identity of the lead UAP official, aiming to protect the scientific process from threats and harassment faced by those involved in the research.
READ ALSO: NASA UFO Report: No Evidence of Aliens; UAP Remains a Mystery
800 UAP Sightings in 27 Years
Over 27 years, more than 800 unexplained events have been documented, with an estimated two to five percent classified as potentially anomalous, according to a report from May. These anomalies are defined as anything that perplexes operators or sensors, often exhibiting unconventional behavior, explained team member Nadia Drake.
In recent years, the U.S. government has taken UAP matters more seriously, partly due to concerns about foreign surveillance connections. One example of an unexplained event involved a metallic orb observed by an MQ-9 drone in the Middle East, shared with Congress in April.
NASA's research, which relies on unclassified information, is distinct from a concurrent Pentagon investigation, although both collaborate on applying scientific methods and tools.
In July, a former U.S. intelligence officer testified before a congressional committee, asserting the government's possession of unidentified anomalous phenomena and potential remains of extraterrestrial operators.
In a recent congressional hearing in Mexico, alleged "non-human" beings' purported mummified remains were presented by Jaime Maussan, a controversial Mexican journalist and researcher. These grayish-colored, human-like forms generated a mix of surprise, disbelief, and ridicule on social media.
READ ALSO: https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/46015/20230917/head-newly-created-ufo-research-division-named-inaugural-boss-nasa.htm
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