Written by Baptiste Friscourt, edited by Christopher Sharp - 24 December 2021

My home country of France has been cited by former Senator Harry Reid as a nation looking into the phenomenon.

It also happens to be the birthplace of the celebrated Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) researcher, Jacques Vallée. 

But like in many other nations, the topic remains associated with stigma and ridicule in the public sphere.

France will no doubt be approached by the U.S government’s impending UAP Office in the coming weeks and months.

We possess nuclear weapons in addition to nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, which are thought to attract UAP. Furthermore, France has the second-largest exclusive economic zone in the world, due to our extensive overseas territories, which is monitored by our military. 

Oh yes, and we also possess our own Space Force, known as French Space Command.

But unknown to many French people (and others interested in UAP) is the research efforts conducted by France’s government since the 1970s, which comes under the remit of the GEIPAN.

The GEIPAN (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Study & Information Group), is a unit of the French government’s CNES (National Centre for Space Studies). Unlike other neighbouring nations, including the UK, France does openly study UAP in coordination with its military.

But the GEIPAN is only one side of the coin, for there are other UAP research groups led by very highly esteemed individuals, including a former astronaut. 

Such organisations and the GEIPAN are poised to play a potentially significant role in any international UAP transparency initiative, should the French decide to intensify its efforts.  

The French Government’s UAP Investigation

Since 1977, the GEIPAN has been on the frontier of the government’s UAP investigation. 

So far, 2,900 cases have been investigated. Out of that number 99 were deemed highly strange and highly reliable in their fidelity.

The number of highly strange and reliable cases could grow further, as around 1,000 reports remain under analysis.

Often used as a scientific reference on UAP study, the GEIPAN bridges the following conundrum: how to create objective data points when your base material is mostly eye-witness testimony?

The French solution is an in-depth scientific investigation, which:

• Mixes data collection and analysis

• Eliminates causal hypotheses 

• Undertakes ground detective work.

Recently to my surprise, GEIPAN reached out to me after learning I was searching for scientific research conducted on UAP.

And they didn’t just reach out to provide the boring templated response provided by most governments when faced with the UAP question.

Incredibly, I was offered the opportunity to meet with its new director, Mr Costes. 

Vincent Costes is an engineer at heart. He graduated from the prestigious Institut d’Optique Graduate School and later became an optical engineer on CNES, French Space Agency HELIOS 2 and PLEIADES projects. He then went on to oversee the system and performance of the astronomical telescope COROT. Before becoming (at his own request) the GEIPAN’s new director, he oversaw the research and development of optics, allowing the development of entirely autonomous self-adjustable and high-performance telescopes in orbit around the Earth for the next generation of telescopes.

Wishing to expand his horizons and driven by a passion for observational sciences, he specifically requested to become the GEIPAN's director. 

To have a person of Mr Costes’ calibre leading the GEIPAN at a time of unprecedented UAP progress within the U.S. government is very significant.

Like Harvard University’s Avi Loeb, curiosity drives him, not the stigma of a topic that is now being taken seriously by acclaimed scientists.

During our meeting, Mr Costes struck me as very astute and intelligent, as one would imagine.

Two significant points stood out when meeting with Mr Costes, which provide insights into the GEIPAN’s current work and what may happen in the future, should its budget increase.

• GEIPAN’S Role In Government: When asked about French UAP research, Mr. Costes acknowledged that there was no current, public, scientific research on UAP, besides the work accomplished by GEIPAN and some meteorological research. The GEIPAN’s work consists of a public office interfacing with French citizens, military police, military forces, and other scientific groups and experts, with the goal of producing technical analyses of witness testimonies at the standard of a scientific peer-reviewed publication under the CNES (National Centre for Space Studies) authority. 

• Communications Aspiration: When asked about what he would do with more funding, Mr Costes said that the current budget fit well within the needs of the GEIPAN. Although being a small project carried by the CNES, the GEIPAN has access to many resources of the French administration for free. Nonetheless, more funds would allow better communication with the public, proving its worth to the French public. 

Let’s dig into those insights.

Firstly, the relationship between the objectively scientific study of UAP and its value to national security is vitally important. Having a relationship between scientific groups and the defence establishment is something other nations could learn from. 

For many years, UAP researchers and activists have bemoaned the fact that (especially in the U.S.) there appears to be no engagement between the scientific community and defence agencies regarding the phenomenon.

The other insight which stood out from Mr. Costes was public engagement. When looking into the future of GEIPAN, there is clearly an appetite to engage with French citizens to prove its worth. 

Should the French government choose to intensify efforts following the establishment of the U.S government’s own UAP Office, then a public engagement initiative may become a realistic prospect. 

In addition to the GEIPAN, there are other worthy research pursuits occurring in France, run by public organisations and involving highly qualified individuals.

The French Public UAP Research Programmes

Luc Dini is a prominent figure when it comes to UAP research in France, although he is an engineer.

Mr Dini is president of the French Astronautical and Aeronautical Association’s (AAAF) technical committee, 3AF-SIGMA 2.

The AAAF is a key organisation when it comes to the topic of aerospace investigations and it works with industry leaders from across Europe. Its members include technicians, engineers, and researchers. 

Its technical committee is the place where UAPs are studied. In fact, it undertakes scientific study and analysis of the 99 cases classified by the GEIPAN as highly strange and reliable.

In addition to working with the GEIPAN, the committee also studies international cases alongside international UAP organisations, including:

• The Chilean government’s UAP investigation agency known as CEFAA

• The National Aviation Reporting Centre on Anomalous Phenomena (NARCAP)

• The Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU)

Members of its technical committee (and looking into UAP) includes the best and brightest of former space industry experts, such as:

• Engineer General Pierre Bescond, a former National Centre for Space Studies director, member of the COMETA (a UAP association), and president of the COPEIPAN 

• Engineer General Jean-François Clervoy, a former test pilot and astronaut

• François Louange, PhD, an expert in picture analysis.

Despite the social stigma, such esteemed committee members (with experience inside the space industry) are unafraid and intrigued enough to devote a significant portion of their lives to studying the phenomenon.

In May 2021, the committee published a progress summary, highlighting various international cases it had studied, in anticipation of the UAPTF preliminary assessment. An English-translated summary can be freely read here - note that the complete translation comprising 350 pages of scientific reports is currently planned to appear on its website on January 4th, 2022. 

In correspondence, Mr Dini provided the following statement regarding the committee’s techniques in data collection for the study of UAP:

“There are two major fields. On the first-hand radiation physics: UAPs seem to emit in some cases electromagnetic emissions in the microwave spectrum... What are they? Is there emission of plasmas, is there a link with the absence of interaction effects with the surrounding environment? Is there a link with the astonishing kinematics observed?

On the other hand quantum physics.... some say (Lue Elizondo's speech on the Nimitz F18 observations) that the pilots would have observed an alteration of the radar signature of the observed tic tac....he evoked notions of unknown physics, perhaps related to a local physical distortion. If we can observe and learn about unknown phenomena occurring in our near environment, it’s a beautiful laboratory in situ.”

He also identified topics of scientific and engineering interest that UAP studies could help advance our understanding of, including:

• Electromagnetic radiations, including microwaves

• Poorly known high altitude atmospheric phenomena

• Interaction involving air and fluids, so aerodynamics

• Potential propulsion.

In Mr Dini’s words, there are, “many things that are yet to be discovered”   

In a follow-up interview, he told me that the main objective right now was to reduce the ridicule linked to UAP.  According to Mr Dini, this could be done by citing historical cases, where electromagnetic radiations were recorded and other examples where multiple systems recorded an event linked to emissions of electromagnetic signals. 

And what does Mr Dini have planned for the future?

Increased international cooperation to study UAP, with the technical committee working with other organizations around the world outside of military influence.

With growing worldwide scientific interest, Mr Dini sees opportunities to work with a whole wave of scientific initiatives, and these could include Harvard’s Galileo Project, Sky 360, UAPx, Project Hessdalen, UFO DAP, and the work ongoing work at Skinwalker Ranch.

Opportunities At A European Level

We should not forget that open-source tools to study UAPs exist at a European level, which could provide greater engagement and collaboration.

Such tools can be used to scientifically track UAPs. This capability was shown in the 2021 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Conference by Philippe Ailleris.

In his presentation (see below), he showed how the European Space Agency’s (ESA) SNAP can be used to obtain high-definition multiband pictures with 10-meter resolution.

And the ESA’s GOCE is able to detect minute variation in the gravimetric field, while SWARM is able to track down local magnetic anomalies.

Case Study: The UAP Association Consisting Of Former Military Officials and Pilots

It is named COMETA, a French UAP association that includes military officials, engineers and pilots.

In 1999, COMETA produced a groundbreaking book, providing collection and analysis of UAP reports. It was published under the name “UFO and Defense: What to expect?”

The book provides an in-depth look into major cases. The aim? To capture the attention of the French government. 

Sadly, the book was met with silence from the government. Even worse, the press mocked it. 

Despite the apparent failure, the book was to play a very important role in events across the Atlantic.

Author and journalist Leslie Kean later discovered the book. It inspired her to write “UFOs Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record”, which ultimately resulted in the historic 2017 New Times article about the U.S. Government’s UAP programme, co-authored with Ralph Blumenthal and Helene Cooper.

So, What Obstacles Are Preventing More Research

The French UAP effort is hugely impressive and consists of individuals who have reached the pinnacle of scientific and engineering professions. 

So, what is holding it back? Well, French researchers have the same problems as many other researchers around the world. 

According to Luc Dini, the main obstacle to large-scale scientific research is the lack of existing data. Data is essential if we wish to motivate scientists.  

Even data recorded in the 1950s and 1960s remains unavailable. Such historic data could be very useful. It’s hard to imagine such data compromising any current military capabilities. Yet it is not made available. 

Instead, researchers are left with visual testimonies without measurements or data recordings.

Another aspect highlighted by Mr Dini is the importance of normalizing UAP observations, so it becomes the equivalent of reporting meteors, which has been encouraged by scientists for decades.

Money is also a problem. It’s been highlighted many times (by the likes of Garry Nolan) that there is no financial incentive, which could encourage more study. That means it’s been largely ignored by many scientists. 

Up until now, scientists have lacked the necessary equipment to undertake what Harvard’s Avi Loeb and his Galileo Project will now embark on. 

What Does The Future Hold?

But despite the setbacks, the tide may begin to turn. The new U.S. UAP Office promises a new age of international coordination on the topic. 

The French military has access to a plethora of heavy tools able to track fast-moving objects in low earth orbit, including ONERA’s Nostradamus, DGA’s  SPOC, and CERES. The Americans may request any information recorded on such systems across France’s extensive territory. 

The GEIPAN may also have a role to play.  Under the leadership of Vincente Costes, it could very soon find itself in the spotlight.

And that could mean opportunities to work with the various other French UAP organizations that possess a wealth of knowledge.

Given the issues stemming from a lack of funding and access to data, a collaborative approach between government and public organizations could lead to major breakthroughs.

Welcoming experts from the scientific community would be welcome and represent a dimension that the new U.S. government’s UAP office does not possess. France certainly possesses the expertise and capability to enact this and it is something that could possibly come to fruition in the future.