NASA releases UFO report and says more data needed

(14 Sep 2023)
FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4453594

++NASA GRAPHICS ON-SCREEN FROM SOURCE++

NASA - MUST CREDIT NASA
Washington, DC - 14 September 2023
1. Wide of NASA briefing
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator:
"In June of last year, NASA commissioned an independent study team to examine unidentified anomalous phenomena. We did so with a few goals in mind. First, to examine how NASA can use our expertise and instruments to study UAP from a scientific perspective. Second, shift the conversation about UAP from sensationalism to science, and to make sure that whatever we find or whatever we recommend, to make sure that information is shared transparently."
3. Wide of briefing
ANNOTATION: NASA says the study of UFOs will require new scientific techniques including advanced satellites, and using AI and machine learning.
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator:
"The top takeaway from the study is that there is a lot more to learn. The NASA Independent study team did not find any evidence that UAP have an extraterrestrial origin, but we don't know what these UAP are. That's why I'm announcing that NASA has appointed a NASA director of UAP Research."
++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++
STORYLINE:
NASA said Thursday that the study of UFOs will require new scientific techniques, including advanced satellites as well as a shift in how unidentified flying objects are perceived.

The space agency released the findings after a yearlong study into UFOs.

In its 33-page report, an independent team commissioned by NASA cautioned that the negative perception surrounding UFOs poses an obstacle to collecting data. But officials said NASA’s involvement should help reduce the stigma around what it calls UAPs, or unidentified anomalous phenomena.

“We want to shift the conversation about UAPs from sensationalism to science," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said. He promised an open and transparent approach.

Officials stressed the panel found no evidence that UAPs had extraterrestrial origin. But Nelson acknowledged with billions of stars in billions of galaxies out there, another Earth could exist.

NASA has said it doesn't actively search for unexplained sightings. But it operates a fleet of Earth-circling spacecraft that can help determine, for example, whether weather is behind a strange event.

The 16-member panel noted that artificial intelligence and machine learning are essential for identifying rare occurrences, including UFOs.

NASA recently appointed a director for UFO research, but is not divulging the identity to protect them from the kind of threats and harassment faced by the panel members during the study.

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