The publication of NASA’s major research on the existence and observation of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), commonly known as UFOs, has raised several surprises. Among its conclusions, NASA indirectly calls upon Elon Musk to assist in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Specifically, NASA suggests that Elon Musk’s satellites, such as those in the Starlink system, could be used to aid in the detection of extraterrestrial phenomena. Another interesting excerpt from the summary focuses on the potential role of the “American commercial remote sensing industry,” which states that it “offers a powerful mix of Earth-observing satellites that provide imagery with spatial resolution below meters, which aligns well with typical spatial scales of known UAPs.”
Given the extensive concerns raised by Musk’s apparent involvement, as well as his dependency, in the Ukraine conflict, this aspect of the report will likely provoke various reactions.
Unofficial translation of the report’s conclusions:
“We recommend that NASA play a prominent role in the government’s effort to understand UAP, leveraging its extensive expertise to contribute to a comprehensive, evidence-based approach grounded in the scientific method.
We specifically recommend that NASA utilize existing and planned Earth-observing assets to investigate local environmental conditions related to UAPs, which are initially detected by other means. In this way, NASA can directly explore whether certain environmental factors coincide with known UAPs. We also recommend that NASA explore enhancing partnerships with the American commercial remote sensing industry, which provides robust constellations of high-resolution Earth-observing satellites.
Currently, UAP detection is often serendipitous, recorded by sensors not designed or calibrated for this purpose and lacking comprehensive metadata. As such, the origins of many UAPs remain uncertain. The importance of UAP detection with multiple, well-calibrated sensors is therefore paramount, and we recommend that NASA employ its significant expertise in this area to potentially use multi-spectral or hyperspectral data as part of a rigorous data collection campaign.
Advanced data analysis techniques, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, should be used in a comprehensive UAP detection campaign, combined with systematic data collection and strong curation. At this juncture, we recommend that NASA contribute its expertise in these core areas to the government’s overall effort to identify UAP.
The group finds that public engagement in the effort to better understand UAP is crucial. By lending its name to UAP studies, NASA is already helping to reduce the stigma associated with reporting. Beyond this, we recommend that NASA explore the feasibility of developing or acquiring a crowdsourcing system, such as open-source smartphone applications, for the collection of imaging and other data from citizen observers as part of a broader effort to systematically collect public UAP reports.
Finally, we recommend that NASA leverage the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) for UAP reports from commercial pilots, providing a critical database for the government’s effort to understand UAP. NASA should also explore its longstanding collaboration with the FAA regarding the application of advanced real-time data analysis techniques to future generations of air traffic management systems.
In conclusion, NASA is uniquely positioned to contribute to a strong and systematic approach to the study of UAP, furthering its mission to promote scientific knowledge, technical expertise, and exploration. When considering the above recommendations and budget priorities, NASA should determine whether it should assume a leadership or supporting role in implementing a specific recommendation. NASA’s role should also fit within the broader framework of the government’s effort to understand UAP.”
