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The UFO Phenomenon

Astronauts, scientists and engineers join NASA's new UFO study

By T.K. Randall
October 25, 2022 · Comment icon 18 comments

Former astronaut Scott Kelly is one of the team's members. Image Credit: NASA / Robert Markowitz
The space agency has revealed the names of the people who will be on its independent UFO investigation team.
Back in June, NASA announced that it would be launching a new study which will focus on analyzing existing astronomical data for anomalies that cannot be scientifically explained.

Now, at last, the study has finally begun and NASA has since revealed more details - including the identities of the 16 individuals who will be undertaking the research.

"Exploring the unknown in space and the atmosphere is at the heart of who we are at NASA," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of the agency's Science Mission Directorate.
"Understanding the data we have surrounding unidentified aerial phenomena is critical to helping us draw scientific conclusions about what is happening in our skies. Data is the language of scientists and makes the unexplainable, explainable."

The study, which will last 9 months, will - according to the press release - "lay the groundwork for future study on the nature of UAPs for NASA and other organizations."

The findings, whatever they may be, will be made available to the public mid-way through 2023.

The members of the study team are:
  • Chairman David Spergel - president of the Simons Foundation.
  • Anamaria Berea - an associate professor of Computational and Data Science at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
  • Federica Bianco - a joint professor at the University of Delaware in the Department of Physics and Astrophysics.
  • Paula Bontempi - a biological oceanographer.
  • Reggie Brothers - an operating partner at AE Industrial Partners in Boca Raton, Florida.
  • Jen Buss - the CEO of the Potomac Institute of Policy Studies in Arlington, Virginia.
  • Nadia Drake - a freelance science journalist and contributing writer at National Geographic.
  • Mike Gold - the executive vice president of Civil Space and External Affairs at Redwire in Jacksonville, Florida.
  • David Grinspoon - a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute in Tuscon, Arizona.
  • Scott Kelly - a former NASA astronaut, test pilot, fighter pilot, and retired U.S. Navy captain.
  • Matt Mountain - the president of The Association of Universities for Research and Astronomy (AURA).
  • Warren Randolph - the deputy executive director of the Federal Aviation Administration's Accident Investigation and Prevention for Aviation Safety department.
  • Walter Scott - the executive vice president and chief technology officer of Maxar in Westminster, Colorado.
  • Joshua Semeter - a professor of electrical and computer engineering as well as the director of the Center for Space Physics at Boston University.
  • Karlin Toner - the acting executive director of the FAA's Office of Aviation Policy and Plans.
  • Shelley Wright - an associate professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego's Center for Astrophysics and Space Studies.


Source: NASA.gov | Comments (18)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #9 Posted by pallidin 2 years ago
They ARE scientists and engineers you dumbledorf. Learn to read! It's in the FIRST LINE. Jeeze...
Comment icon #10 Posted by Plunkenstein 2 years ago
Will be interesting to see what qualifies as a "safety hazard," if clearly defined.  Not familiar with any UFO near-misses as with the usually crowded air traffic (which isn't to say it's never happened).  It seems most likely a case of their mere presence at all, even at a safe distance, unnerving the pilots and passengers enough to be considered threatening.  Could cause a heart attack or stroke in those more susceptible...
Comment icon #11 Posted by TrikeTrash 2 years ago
Pallidin you completely missed my point. Yes, the individuals have degrees and are scientists but show me how much real science they've done vs 'ladder climbing'. Real scientists have a passion for their work and languish at the bottom while the turds float to the top!
Comment icon #12 Posted by pallidin 2 years ago
Good God, man! You can't have a Masters/PhD in the sciences without having performed MANY "real science" experiments, participate in research, etc... during one's education!!!! So, they have seriously impressive credentials and experience. Where have you been for the past 200-years?
Comment icon #13 Posted by astrobeing 2 years ago
All the evidence so far has supported frauds and mundane explanations.
Comment icon #14 Posted by Trelane 2 years ago
And many, many other reasonable and logical reasons. Oh of course, an alien species that has mastered interstellar travel comes all the way here, just to play peek-a-boo. Sure.   Also, how can they immediately deduce these alleged items "pose a safety hazard" yet still have to "study the technology, how incursions affect pilot and passenger safety". That's a bit of confirmation bias established right there.
Comment icon #15 Posted by TrikeTrash 2 years ago
Pallidin you're right, I'm wrong. Twenty plus years working with doctorates and ladder climbers, and I know nuttin. Thank-you for straightening me out!
Comment icon #16 Posted by OpenMindedSceptic 2 years ago
All the evidence? Radioactive anamolies such as Rendlesham Forest. Unusual silver deposits such as Falcon Lake. Radar results such as Belgian / Bay if Biscay. Video such as Tic tac. There are thousands of credible eye witness accounts. Now there's a substantial amount of money going into investigating the phenomenon. Personally, I wouldn't be too rash to write everything off 
Comment icon #17 Posted by astrobeing 2 years ago
All of these have mundane explanations. Yes, it was called Project Blue Book. It investigated hundreds of UFO sightings for seventeen years until the Air Force figured out it's a waste of time and money. If you've been reading about UFOs for decades like I have then you know exactly how these investigations go.
Comment icon #18 Posted by Trelane 2 years ago
Good grief. Still trundling Rendlesham and Tic Tac out as proof?  Thanks, I did need a good laugh. 


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