Extraterrestrial life
The Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) S. Somanath, featured in an article on the “India Today” website, dated 22 August 2024. Part of the article reads:
“In a thought-provoking statement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) chief has shared his perspective on the existence of extraterrestrial life, suggesting that alien civilisations are not only possible but likely to exist throughout the universe.
The Isro Chairman emphasised the rapid pace of human technological advancement, noting that, just a century ago our civilisation had minimal technological capabilities compared to today.”
The India Today website article was reporting on a podcast, hosted by Ranveer Allahbadia, which interviewed S. Somanath.
S. Somanath |
Another website carried more detail from the podcast interview, including:
“Alien systems that are 1,000 years more advanced than us will always be here,” he said, suggesting that such advanced civilisations may already be present, perhaps observing or interacting with the universe in ways we cannot yet understand.”
“Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia asked S. Somanath why we mainly hear about UFOs being sighted in America (USA) and South America. Somanath then explains that, scientifically speaking the geographic positions of these regions favor the occurrence of these sightings more than equatorial regions, due to climatic issues. He concluded by saying that, from a non-scientific point of view, many UFO stories are also fabricated…Soon after, the podcaster asked the following question ‘But do you think our planet is visited by extraterrestrials?’ And, without hesitation S. Somanath responds ‘Absolutely without a doubt. My conscience says yes, although I have no proof. As Chairman of Isro, I am telling you this…There are definitely aliens out there in the universe. Aliens means living systems and cultures elsewhere in the universe. If they are ahead in technology by just a thousand years, or 10,000 years, they would definitely visit us…they would be visiting Earth frequently without us knowing.'”
Other space agencies
These statements by the Chairman of ISRO can be contrasted and compared to those of the space agencies of other countries.
France
The French space agency CNES has hosted a group within its organisational structure, studying UAP, for decades. This UAP group has operated under a number of names since its inception, with the current iteration being GEIPAN. It collects sightings from witnesses living in French territories, analyses them and assigns an explanation to them, if one can be found, then openly publishes the details on its website.
USA
In June 2022, NASA announced that an independent study team was to be set up to examine UAP. It reported its findings in September 2023. Arising out of the findings, NASA established a NASA Director of UAP Research.
Australia
In an article dated April 2024, I reported upon Freedom of Information Act requests which attempted to establish whether or not the Australian Space Agency (ASA) had any interest in the topic of UAP. I secured a copy of a briefing paper intended for use by the head of the ASA when presenting at the Senate Estimates Committee hearings. Included in these briefing notes were the following statements:
“The Agency does not monitor UAPs, or UFOs in Australia nor seek to resolve these issues….The Agency has no records relating to UAPs or UFOs in Australia…’