President Carter Requests NASA UFO Investigation — NASA Refuses

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter requested NASA to investigate UFO evidence, but NASA refused due to a lack of physical evidence. This event highlights institutional resistance to UFO research despite Carter's personal sighting.

Carter's UFO Sighting Jimmy Carter reported a UFO in 1969 in Leary, Georgia.

• He and ten members of the Lions Club observed it.
• The object was bright, self-luminous, color-changing.
• Duration: over ten minutes.

Presidential Request In 1977, Carter tasked his science advisor Frank Press with the request.

• Establish a 'small panel of inquiry'.
• Review UFO evidence since the Condon Report.

NASA's Response NASA Administrator Robert Frosch initially responded enthusiastically.

He rejected the request in December 1977.

• Claim: Lacked 'bona fide physical evidence'.

Criticism of NASA Dr. Richard C. Henry, deputy director of NASA's Astrophysics Division, criticized the rejection.

• Published essay in 1988.
• Stated Frosch's claim was 'simply false'.
• Relevant evidence existed.

Military Resistance Colonel Charles E. Senn of the Air Force Community Relations Division wrote to NASA.

• 'I sincerely hope that you are successful in preventing a reopening of UFO investigations.'
• Reveals active military resistance to new research.