France's Investigative Body for Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
The French Space Agency CNES houses the unit GEIPAN (Groupe d'Études et d'Informations sur les Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non-identifiés), a dedicated body responsible for investigating Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (UAP). Established in 1977, GEIPAN has undergone transformations, initially as GEPAN, then SEPRA, and finally GEIPAN in 2005.
Based in Toulouse, GEIPAN's mission is to gather credible reports from various sources, including civilians and military personnel, and provide scientific analysis grounded in aerospace and atmospheric expertise. The unit maintains a transparent and systematic approach to its work, focusing on data collection and analysis rather than speculation or sensationalism.
GEIPAN's investigation protocol involves evaluating each case using a structured methodology, cross-checking with available technical, meteorological, and aerospace information. The unit employs experts across various fields, including aeronautics, meteorology, radar technology, and more, for comprehensive study.
Cases are categorized according to the level of explanation possible: identified, unidentified, or non-identified. Public reports and summaries of investigations are periodically released to maintain transparency.
Over its history, GEIPAN has analysed approximately 5,300 distinct cases drawn from around 9,700 testimonies. Hoax cases are rare, accounting for less than 1% of the investigations. Periodic re-examination of D-category files ensures that evolving scientific insight helps re-classify previously unexplained cases.
Researchers are exploring the use of machine learning to identify trends or correlations in raw report text. New technology, such as text mining, big data classification tools, and pattern recognition, offers potential for re-analyzing older datasets.
The steering committee of GEIPAN includes representatives from scientific and security institutions, and the unit is empowered to request radar checks from the Air Force. GEIPAN encourages scholars to use its results for analysis, trend studies, and cognitive research, without endorsing any theory of extraterrestrial involvement.
GEIPAN employs two full-time CNES staff and around 20 trained volunteer investigators across France. Decisions on classification or publication rest solely with the director of GEIPAN, free from external interference.
One of the most famous investigations by GEIPAN took place near the village of Trans-en-Provence in 1981, involving a disc-shaped object that left physical traces and was classified as category D.
GEIPAN continues to publish its archives, including initial reports, investigation summaries, and classification outcomes, to both researchers and the public. The unit's commitment to transparency and scientific rigour sets it apart from many other national UAP investigations, fostering public trust and inviting academic scrutiny.
- The French Space Agency's unit, GEIPAN, engages both science and technology in its investigation of Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (UAP), with experts in aerospace, atmospheric expertise, aeronautics, meteorology, radar technology, and more contributing to comprehensive studies.
- With the goal of evaluating each case using a structured methodology, GEIPAN employs machine learning and new technology, such as text mining, big data classification tools, and pattern recognition, to re-analyze older datasets in an effort to identify trends or correlations in raw report text.
- A testament to GEIPAN's commitment to transparency and scientific rigour, the unit not only publishes its archives, including initial reports, investigation summaries, and classification outcomes, but also encourages scholars to use its results for analysis, trend studies, and cognitive research, without endorsing any specific theory of extraterrestrial involvement.
