The U.S. Department of Defense released more than 160 previously classified UFO files on Friday, including photographs and accounts from the Apollo 17 moon mission [1].
The release marks a significant shift in government transparency regarding unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). By making these records public, the Pentagon is providing raw data to researchers and the public to resolve long-standing debates about aerial anomalies.
The files were posted to a new public Pentagon website [2]. The collection includes images captured by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Central Command, and members of the Apollo 17 crew while on the Moon [2].
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks said the files are a continuation of the government's effort to be transparent about unidentified aerial phenomena [3]. The move follows an order from the Trump administration to increase transparency on UAP [3].
Among the released materials are images that have drawn particular attention from former astronauts. Jack Schmitt, who served on the Apollo 17 mission, said the government has never seen anything like these images before [1].
While most sources report more than 160 files were released [1], some reports estimate the number at around 150 [4]. The documents consist of a mix of visual evidence, and written reports describing encounters with unidentified objects.
A Pentagon spokesperson said the public can draw its own conclusions [5].
“The public can draw its own conclusions.”
The release of these documents, particularly the Apollo 17 materials, shifts the UAP conversation from anecdotal witness testimony to official government records. By utilizing a dedicated public website for these files, the Department of Defense is attempting to standardize how the public accesses classified anomalies, potentially reducing the influence of unofficial leaks.
