Project Blue Book was the United States Air Force’s systematic study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) that operated from 1952 to 1969. It succeeded two earlier projects: Sign (1947-1949) and Grudge (1949-1952).
Official Objectives
The project had two primary goals:
- Determine if UFOs posed a threat to national security
- Scientifically analyze UFO-related data
Key Statistics
During its 17-year operation, Project Blue Book:
- Collected 12,618 UFO reports
- Explained 11,917 cases (94.4%)
- Left 701 cases classified as “unexplained”
Notable Cases
The unexplained cases included several high-profile incidents:
- The 1964 Socorro, New Mexico landing case
- The 1965 Exeter, New Hampshire sightings
- Multiple pilot encounters with structured craft
Project Termination
Blue Book was officially terminated on December 17, 1969, following the University of Colorado’s Condon Report, which concluded that further UFO study was not justified for scientific purposes.
Controversies
Critics, including the project’s final director, astronomer J. Allen Hynek, later stated that:
- The project was underfunded and understaffed
- There was pressure to explain away sightings
- Many cases deserved more serious scientific investigation
Legacy
Despite its official conclusion that UFOs posed no threat, Project Blue Book’s unexplained cases continue to fuel research and debate. The project’s files, now declassified, remain a crucial resource for understanding the U.S. government’s historical approach to the UFO phenomenon.
Access Points
- National Archives maintains the complete Blue Book files
- Over 130,000 pages of documents available
- Microfilm rolls contain original reports and investigations