Every year, approximately 100,000 pilots, air traffic controllers, and other professional aviation staff report unusual sightings in our atmosphere. While most of these events have been explained, a small handful cannot be immediately identified as human-made or natural. NASA defines these objects as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). Known for their commitment to the scientific method, NASA has taken a pivotal role in explaining these mysteries.

NASA recently released, NASA: Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Independent Study Team Report, which offers a roadmap of how they plan to contribute to the whole-of-government effort to better understand UAP. The overarching challenge NASA faces lies in collecting data-driven and evidence-based scientific framework, rather than eyewitness reports. However, a variety of earth- and space-observing assets can collectively contribute to understanding UAP. These scientific tools include Earth-observing satellites, the NEXRAD Doppler radar network, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). NASA emphasizes that these tools will not be used to examine previous UAP incidents, but to shed light on future sightings.

In June 2022, NASA established an independent study team consisting of 16 experts with various scientific and technological backgrounds. The team’s mission is to leverage the vast scientific resources available, and contribute to the broader understanding of these mysterious aerial anomalies. NASA hopes that their long-standing public trust with help destigmatize UAP reporting, and encourage an ongoing pursuit of UAP research.

For more information, check out documents in HSDL related to unidentified aerial phenomena and UFOs.