Robert Low

Robert Low served as project coordinator of the U.S. Air Force–funded UFO study at the University of Colorado (Condon Committee) from 1966 to 1968. The investigation was supposed to assess UFO reports scientifically, but the 1967 leak of the "Low memo" fundamentally changed its public image: in it he suggested that the study should appear objective while reaching a predetermined negative conclusion about UFOs. The memo damaged the credibility of the Condon Report and became the central piece of evidence for the thesis that the study was scientific cover for ending government UFO investigation.

• Project coordinator of the University of Colorado UFO study (Condon Committee) 1966–1968
• Coordinated the study funded by the U.S. Air Force
• Study was intended to scientifically evaluate UFO reports
• Became a controversial figure after the leak of the "Low memo"
• In the memo: suggestion that the study should appear objective while reaching a predetermined negative conclusion
• Leak damaged the credibility of the Condon Report
• Fuelled allegations that the study was designed as scientific cover for ending government UFO research

Low stands in the UAP timeline for the institutional moment at which the scientific integrity of a government contract visibly foundered. The Low memo is the reference piece of evidence for the recurring pattern of distrust toward state UFO studies: the debate about open-ended outcomes versus pre-written final reports that today revolves around AARO has its historical blueprint here.