CNES

Background

The French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) is France's government space agency, founded in 1961 and headquartered in Paris.

• Responsible for shaping and implementing France's space policy in cooperation with the European Space Agency
• Headquartered in central Paris

UAP Involvement

In 1977, under director Yves Sillard, CNES established GEPAN, the first official government program dedicated to investigating unidentified aerospace phenomena.

• Hosts successive UFO research units (GEPAN, SEPRA, GEIPAN) within its organizational structure
• Serves as the parent body of the world's longest-running official UFO investigation program

Key Contributions

CNES plays a central role in France's space endeavors and official UAP/UFO studies.

• Founded GEPAN in 1977 as the pioneering government UFO investigation program
• Continues to support ongoing UAP research through GEIPAN