NASA Responds in How To 'Destigmatize' Their UFO Research

"... by holding public meetings such as this one, and having open conversations about findings, then we’re helping to normalize discussions again. And that really goes arm-in-arm with our commitment to openness and transparency with the public. And then finally, in terms of collaborating across the government, we’re working very closely with other government agencies, not least Sean’s office, AARO, to broaden the scope and the depth of our study. And I honestly believe that this collective inter-agency approach will lend credibility to the study of UAPs, and it’s going to demonstrate the seriousness with which we’re approaching this issue."

In October of last year (2022), following in the footsteps of the Pentagon, NASA announced plans for their own independent study/investigation of UAP/UFOs and listed the names of 16 “… of the world's leading scientists, data and artificial intelligence practitioners [and] aerospace safety experts” that would be the independent study team. Their specific charge “… is to tell us how to apply the full focus of science and data to UAP.” They further stated:

By Frank Warren The UFO Chronicles 6-4-23

The independent study will begin on Monday, Oct. 24. Over the course of nine months, the independent study team will lay the groundwork for future study on the nature of UAPs for NASA and other organizations. To do this, the team will identify how data gathered by civilian government entities, commercial data, and data from other sources can potentially be analyzed to shed light on UAPs. It will then recommend a roadmap for potential UAP data analysis by the agency going forward. The study will focus solely on unclassified data. A full report containing the team’s findings will be released to the public in mid-2023. “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 Science.

On May 31st (2023) NASA held its first, lengthy public, live-streamed meeting chaired by David Spergel Ph.D., and all the panel members in tow. After various presentations, towards the end of conference it was time for the Q & A session. Questions were submitted to NASA from the public leading up to the meeting. One question posited was:

What are you doing to solve the stigmatization surrounding the study of UAP?

The dialogue went as follows:

Karlin Toner (03:29:53): I can take that one

Karen Fox (03:29:55): And state your name if you wouldn’t mind. First.

Karlin Toner (03:29:57): Karlin Toner, FAA.

Karlin Toner (03:30:01): I think the fact that NASA has called us together here as a panel to look into this, that NASA is hosting a public meeting, that we’ve heard it clearly stated, we’re here to be transparent. I think that’s the first step in trying to really normalize the study of UAPs.

(03:30:20) And we talked a little bit earlier about the reporting, about how to make it credible. And we talked also about UAP in one of the earlier talks this morning, of the definition of the A, whether it was a aerial or anomalous, as the legislation now is. And really the distinction beyond UFOs, right? When we’re looking at UAPs here, we’re beyond just airplanes, we’re looking at all types of anomalous phenomena. And so that’s just a more inclusive term there.

Mike Gold (03:30:57):Yeah, still Michael. Just wanted to emphasize what Karlin said, which is so accurate. I really consider it quite amazing that we’re here having this discussion as the leadership. It serves great kudos for this. And beyond, I think a recommendation that I’d like to make is that NASA participate in symposia, in panels, sponsor research. When you have the NASA logo, on that sponsored research, on the discussion, it really helps normalize and push back against the stigma.

(03:31:27) I think NASA can leverage its excellent reputation, both domestically and abroad, to help push back on that stigma. And I think it’s important to do so, not just for science and discovery, but for national security, that we’ve all seen what’s occurred with balloons from rival nations. We don’t want this stigma to be a vulnerability that rival nations can take advantage of.

Karen Fox (03:31:48):Yes, Dan?

Dan Evans (03:31:49): Thanks, Karen. Just a few additional points from the agency perspective, we are of course taking a set of actions to effectively normalize the study of UAP. So that involves collaborating across the government, encouraging an open dialogue, and promoting rigorous scientific inquiry. Let me turn to each of those in turn.

(03:32:11) So in terms of promoting a rigorous scientific inquiry, the primary way we’re doing this is by being truly rigorous and employing an evidence-based methodology in everything that we do. That is characteristic of scientific research. It’s no accident that the people up on this stage are true experts in their respective fields. So that is, in turn, going to help us to legitimize UAP studies.

(03:32:42) Encouraging open dialogue. So by holding public meetings such as this one, and having open conversations about findings, then we’re helping to normalize discussions again. And that really goes arm-in-arm with our commitment to openness and transparency with the public. And then finally, in terms of collaborating across the government, we’re working very closely with other government agencies, not least Sean’s office, AARO, to broaden the scope and the depth of our study. And I honestly believe that this collective inter-agency approach will lend credibility to the study of UAPs, and it’s going to demonstrate the seriousness with which we’re approaching this issue. Thanks.

-end transcript segment-

See Also:

NASA Holds First Ever UFO, UAP Public Hearing

	Head of NASA Intertwines Alien Life and The Nimitz UFO Encounters
	NASA Announces UAP / UFO Study Team Members
	Lawmakers Warned, UFOs / UAP Are a Potential Threat To National Security | Congressional Hearing

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