Claude Poher

Claude Poher (born 1935 in Brittany, France) is a French engineer, astrophysicist, and pioneer in UAP research. With a PhD in astronomy-astrophysics, he spent 33 years at the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), leading programs in space astronomy, robotics, sounding rockets, and advanced technologies, including lunar and planetary missions. In 1975, his statistical analysis of UFO sightings, co-authored with Jacques Vallée, was presented at the AIAA conference. Poher founded and directed GEPAN (1977-1979), the world's first official government-funded UFO study group within CNES, which evolved into GEIPAN. He petitioned the French government post-Condon Report for continued investigation. Post-retirement in 1996, he developed the 'Universons' quantum gravity theory, published in 'Gravitation: Les Universons, énergie du futur' (2003), and holds patents for related devices. Awards include the National Order of Merit, AAAF Astronautical Prize, and CNES Medal. Member of the International Academy of Astronautics.