NASA Names Research Group to Study UFOs and UAPs

Are sightings of unidentified aerial objects evidence of extraterrestrial life? That’s what the government intends to find out.

Arturo Weiss

Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 03:27 PM ET

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A screenshot of an unclassified U.S. Navy video of unidentified aerial phenomena. [Source: DOD]

Key Takeaways:

NASA has launched a nine-month research study on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs), formerly known as UFOs, primarily focused on ensuring aviation safety by identifying and understanding these unexplained sightings.
The study differentiates from other government efforts that view UAPs as a national security threat, with NASA's aim being to uncover their causes and mitigate potential dangers to aircraft, explicitly stating it has found no evidence of extraterrestrial origins.
Led by astrophysicist David Spergel and a 16-member team of diverse experts, the research will culminate in a public report by mid-2023, intended to establish a foundation for future UAP investigations.

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When UFOs (unidentified flying objects) are mentioned, some people may conjure images of little green beings, while others suspect these situations are due to human-made events. So, what’s the real story behind these sightings? That’s what NASA hopes to find out via a new nine-month research study.

The acronym UFO has been used for decades since the 1950s. Today, the U.S. government prefers to use UAP or unidentified aerial phenomena to refer to airborne objects not immediately identifiable. This acronym represents the broadest category of airborne objects reviewed for analysis.