'This is unprecedented': Why the Pentagon's recent UFO file releases are so important

Navy pilots have reported encountering a variety of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). (S. Navy) As "The X Files" famously told us, "the truth is out there." But at the same time, inquiring minds are immersed today in finding out whether or not the proof is out there — specifically, proof that at least some unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) come from somewhere beyond Earth.The UAP acronym originally stood for "unidentified aerial phenomena," a term that itself was a rebranding of "unidentified flying object" (UFO). And UFO was a replacement of sorts for the long-lasting and stylish "flying saucers."Whatever the terminology, truth and proof in today's fractured and somewhat conspiratorial society could be construed as strange bedfellows.UAP study teamMike Gold is president at Redwire Space, an innovative aerospace and defense company. In 2022 and 2023, he served on the NASA Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Independent Study Team, a council of 16 experts across diverse areas on matters relevant to potential ways to investigate UAP.Gold's past roles include NASA associate administrator for space policy and partnerships, acting associate administrator for the Office of International and Interagency Relations, and senior advisor to the administrator for international and legal affairs. While at NASA, he led the development and implementation of the Artemis Accords.That past also includes 13 years at Bigelow Aerospace, during which he established the company's Washington office and oversaw the launches of Bigelow's Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 spacecraft, which showcased the use of expandable habitat technology. A public meeting of NASA's Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Independent Study Team on May 31, 2023. Mike Gold is second from the right in the front row. (S. House of Representatives' Committee on Oversight and Accountability titled "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth.""We must be thorough in collecting information, fearless in making conclusions and open to following the data no matter how mundane or extraordinary the results may be," Gold told the lawmakers. "As the saying goes, the truth is out there. We just need to be bold enough and brave enough to face it."Space.com caught up with Gold recently to discuss his current UAP views and his work with The Disclosure Foundation as an advisory board member. A "football-shaped" UAP (unidentified anomalous phenomenon) observed by an infrared sensor on a U.S. military platform in 2024. The Pentagon released this observation on May 8, 2026. (S. Deparment of War)Follow the data"I would say that I came out the same way I came in," Gold said of his past work for the NASA UAP study team, "and that was objective and wanting to follow the data."While the NASA group's final recommendations seem to be lost in the fabric of time and space, Gold said that, under the current presidential administration, NASA is taking the UAP issue quite seriously, as is the rest of the federal government."NASA is doing its best to contribute to the Department of War releases on UAP," said Gold. "I will note that what is being released by NASA is publicly available and has been. But I think it's beneficial for the White House to flag some of the most interesting aspects that we have from NASA archives."Gold said, for instance, that the 1972 Apollo 17 moon landing report included imagery showing three lights in a triangular shape that was flagged in recent Department of War (DOW)/NASA-released documents."NASA is a proactive participant in all of this," he added, noting that having imagery identified as anomalous is "very powerful in fighting the stigma."There are champions inside the space agency who want to pursue the UAP issue, according to Gold."They feel a lot more comfortable when you've got the White House putting