National Institute for Discovery Science

The National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) was founded in 1995 in the United States by Nevada businessman Robert Bigelow as a privately funded civilian research organization. It employed rigorous scientific methods to investigate anomalous phenomena, including UFOs, cattle mutilations, black triangles, and paranormal entities or ghosts. Key figures included Hal Puthoff, Jacques Vallée, and John Mack. Notably, the FAA directed pilots' UFO reports to NIDS. In 1996, NIDS focused on Skinwalker Ranch in Utah, purchased by Bigelow after reports of UFOs, mutilations, and entities; a team observed activity there, drawing senatorial interest. NIDS's work influenced later programs like AAWSAP/AATIP via Bigelow's BAASS, which continued Skinwalker and UFO investigations, including the 2004 Nimitz Tic Tac case. NIDS ceased operations around 2004, with its database and efforts absorbed by BAASS.