REPORT OF THE SCIENTIFIC PANEL ON UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS

On January 17, 1953, a Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects issued a report following a request from the United States government to evaluate potential national security threats posed by 'Flying Saucers.' The panel, consisting of consultants including R.P. Robertson (Chairman), Lloyd V. Berkner, S. A. Goudsmit, Luis W. Alvarez, and Thornton Page, reviewed evidence provided by cognizant government agencies, primarily the United States Air Force, focusing on the best-documented incidents. The panel concluded that the evidence did not indicate that these phenomena posed a direct physical threat to national security. Furthermore, the panel stated their belief that there was no residue of cases indicating phenomena attributable to foreign artifacts capable of hostile acts, nor was there evidence suggesting a need to revise current scientific concepts. Consequently, the panel recommended that national security agencies take immediate steps to remove the 'special status' previously afforded to UFOs and the 'aura of mystery' surrounding them. They suggested that this objective be achieved through an integrated program designed to reassure the public regarding the total lack of evidence for inimical forces behind the phenomena.