Audio: Media telecon on new Aerial Phenomena Study
NASA is launching an independent study team this fall to examine Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs)—events observed in the sky that cannot currently be identified as aircraft or known natural occurrences—through a scientific lens. The study aims to catalog existing data, determine optimal methods for future data collection, and explore how NASA can leverage this information to advance scientific understanding of UAPs.
Due to the limited number of verified UAP observations, drawing definitive scientific conclusions about their nature remains challenging. These unexplained atmospheric phenomena are significant for both national security and aviation safety. Differentiating natural events from unknown ones is a crucial first step in addressing potential risks, aligning with NASA’s commitment to ensuring aircraft safety. Importantly, there is no evidence that UAPs are of extraterrestrial origin.
“NASA firmly believes that scientific inquiry and its tools are essential in this investigation,” stated Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s Associate Administrator for Science. “With access to extensive Earth observation data from space, we possess the resources and expertise to deepen our understanding of these unknown phenomena—this is the essence of science.”
NASA’s initiative operates independently from the Department of Defense’s Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force and its successor, the Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group, though it maintains collaboration with government entities to apply scientific methods in exploring UAPs.
The study will be led by astrophysicist David Spergel, president of the Simons Foundation and former chair of Princeton University’s astrophysics department. Daniel Evans, Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator for Research at NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, will coordinate the study on behalf of NASA.
“Our initial focus is gathering the most comprehensive, reliable data possible,” said Spergel. “This includes identifying datasets from civilians, governmental sources, non-profits, and private companies, assessing what additional information is needed, and determining the best analytical approaches.”
Expected to conclude in approximately nine months, the study will consult experts in science, aeronautics, and data analysis to recommend improved data collection and observation techniques.
“In line with NASA’s dedication to openness, transparency, and scientific integrity, the findings will be made publicly available,” Evans emphasized. “NASA’s data is already accessible to the public, and we are committed to making it easy for anyone to review or analyze.”
While separate from this UAP study, NASA continues its active astrobiology research focused on life’s origins and distribution beyond Earth. Ongoing missions investigate environments like Mars and ocean-bearing moons such as Titan and Europa, seeking signs of life.
NASA’s search for extraterrestrial life also includes using observatories like the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and Hubble Space Telescope to identify potentially habitable exoplanets. The James Webb Space Telescope is poised to detect atmospheric biosignatures, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, which may indicate biological activity. Additionally, NASA supports research into technosignatures—potential evidence of advanced extraterrestrial technologies.
Learn more about NASA’s astrobiology program online at: https://www.nasa.gov/astrobiology/