Project Blue Book

Project Blue Book was the code name for the U.S. Air Force's systematic study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) from March 1952 until its termination on December 17, 1969. Headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, the project had two main goals: to determine if UFOs posed a threat to national security, and to scientifically analyze UFO-related data. The Air Force concluded that no UFO it investigated was a threat, that unexplained sightings did not represent technology beyond modern scientific knowledge, and that no evidence supported the idea that sightings were extraterrestrial vehicles.

What was Project Blue Book?

Project Blue Book was the code name for a U.S. Air Force program that investigated reports of unidentified flying objects. Air Force Director of Intelligence Maj. Gen. Charles P. Cabell ordered the project in March 1952. It followed two earlier Air Force programs: Project Sign, established in 1947, and Project Grudge, established in 1949. The project was initially directed by Captain Edward J. Ruppelt and was headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

What did it investigate?

From 1947 to 1969, the project recorded 12,618 sightings. Of these, 701 remained labeled "unidentified" when the program concluded. The project's two main goals were to determine if UFOs were a threat to national security and to scientifically analyze UFO-related data. Astronomer J. Allen Hynek served as the scientific consultant throughout the project's existence and created the categorization system known today as Close Encounters.

What were its conclusions?

According to the Air Force, Project Blue Book concluded that no UFO reported, investigated, and evaluated by the Air Force was ever an indication of threat to national security. The Air Force also stated that no evidence indicated that "unidentified" sightings represented technological developments or principles beyond the range of modern scientific knowledge, and no evidence indicated that sightings categorized as "unidentified" were extraterrestrial vehicles.

Why was it terminated?

Project Blue Book was terminated as a result of the Condon Report, which concluded that the study of UFOs was unlikely to yield major scientific discoveries, and a subsequent review of that report by the National Academy of Sciences. Secretary of the Air Force Robert C. Seamans, Jr., terminated the project on December 17, 1969, and operations officially ended in January 1970.

Where are the records now?

The declassified and redacted records from Project Blue Book have been housed at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., since 1976 and are available to the public.