Jacob Salatun

Jacob Salatun (1927-2012) was an Indonesian air marshal, vice air marshal in the air force, and founder of the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN). A pioneering ufologist, he began researching UFOs in 1947 due to his aviation passion, publishing articles in local and foreign magazines. In the 1960s, he introduced the term 'BETA' (Benda Terbang Aneh) for UFOs and established SUFOI (Indonesian UFO Study) in the 1980s. Salatun authored books including 'UFO: Salah Satu Masalah Dunia Masa Kini' and 'Menyingkap Rahasia Piring Terbang,' documenting encounters like a 1950s police chief's testimony and the 1964 Dwikora Operation incident where pilots engaged a mango-shaped craft.