In 2017, Americans learned that the Pentagon had spent several years and $ 22 million researching the possible existence of a UFO. No confirmation of the presence of aliens on Earth was not followed. But the scientist and hunter for extraterrestrial intelligence from California says that there is something unnerving in this story.
SETI senior astronomer Seth Shostak says:
“There are several examples of amazing phenomena. That is, I understand that not every UFO event hinted at real aliens. But there are many mysterious and interesting cases ”.
At the Pentagon, they confirmed that they had participated in a partially secret UFO research program, which they called the Advanced Space Threat Identification Program (AATIP). The project was launched at the request of the former Nevada Democrat Harry Reid, and it lasted from 2007 to 2012. Although some believe that the project continues to work, but with more secrecy.
It is believed that Reid was strongly influenced by his friend - the billionaire and aerospace entrepreneur Robert Bigelow. In an interview, he admitted that he was 100% convinced of the existence of a UFO. Shostak says alien obsession lasts much longer:
“I know him very well. This is a great guy! But from the age of 15 he believes that aliens flew to Earth. ”
If Bigelow decided to spend personal funds on the search for aliens, then this is one thing. But people were outraged by 22 billion dollars, which were taken from the taxpayers' money. These funds were redirected to Bigelow Aerospace.
Having received this money, Bigelow hired people to build buildings and place objects that allegedly were part of a crashed UFO. He drew scientists and researchers who also believed that they had encountered extraterrestrial objects.
Shostak didn't like it. Bigelow collaborated with NASA, but he has no scientific training. Then why was he entrusted with such a large amount of money?
Shostak says:
“Do not think that Bigelow created a fake project to pocket more funds. He is a really nice guy. But his confidence in the existence of aliens should not cost taxpayers so dearly ”.
Some of the AATIP missions are still classified, but we managed to reveal a couple of facts. First, Harry Reid skillfully pushed through the convictions of his friend and found funding. Secondly, Robert Bigelow seriously invested in the search for aliens on Earth. Thirdly, the project did not declare that they really managed to find extraterrestrial life. Shostak adds:
“If the aliens did visit us since 1947, when the alleged UFO crashed in New Mexico, we would already have strong evidence. And I do not think that extraterrestrial intelligence is being visited only in America, which means that traces must remain in other states. I find it hard to believe in a massive conspiracy and attempts to hide everything. It’s just hard to come to terms with the fact that someone decided to spend $ 20 million from taxes and didn’t find anything ”.
