May 1, 1977🇫🇷Program
Science
GEPAN Founded: France Establishes Official UAP Research Agency
France established GEPAN as an official research unit within CNES to investigate unidentified aerospace phenomena and coordinate reports from multiple government agencies. The organization was created to address public concerns about UFO sightings and improve scientific understanding of unexplained aerial observations.
Background
Establishment and Purpose GEPAN (Groupe d'Étude des Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non-identifiés) was established within France's Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) under the direction of Yves Sillard. The agency was created to address widespread public anxiety stemming from numerous UFO sightings and to establish systematic data collection procedures.
Organizational Structure The newly formed agency coordinated with multiple French government institutions including the Gendarmerie, civil aviation authorities, the Air Force, and meteorological services. Claude Poher, an aeronautical engineer, was appointed as the inaugural director.
Scientific Framework GEPAN established a Scientific Council comprising astronomers and other qualified professionals to develop standardized data-collection systems for UFO reports from official agencies and conduct investigations into previously reported cases.
Connections
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