NASA has appointed a director of research to oversee UFO research efforts to develop a scientific, evidence-based approach to understanding puzzling phenomena. The agency said it would not name the official. This person had been in this position for some time, according to NASA deputy administrator Nicola Fox.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced the appointment at a news conference Thursday, shortly after the agency released a report on the findings of a group of independent researchers on how NASA could better identify UAPs, or unidentified anomalous events. The Commission recommends the creation of a systematic reporting framework that includes greater use of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

“This is the first time NASA has taken concrete steps to study UAPs,” Nelson said.

The UAP Director of Investigations will be responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of investigations into unidentified observations of celestial phenomena commonly referred to as UFOs. Dan Evans, NASA’s deputy administrator for research, said one of the reasons for keeping the person’s identity secret was concerns about threats and harassment some panel members experienced in connection with the UAP research. According to him, the identity may be revealed later.

Still, the panel said NASA will remain transparent about what it finds in the sky. Nelson said he wants to eliminate the stigma surrounding UAP research and “move the conversation from sensationalism to science.” Source