Space agency forms team to study unidentified aerial phenomena 'that cannot be identified as aircraft or natural phenomena.' It will begin gathering data on these objects this fall and will brainstorm ways to enhance the collection. NASA anticipates that this work will take nine months.

It's quite the turn of events. Certainly, people might have associated the space program with unidentified flying objects: the term UFO has been associated with alien spaceships since the 1950s, and one of NASA's missions is to search for signs of life on other planets. 

We have the tools and teams to shed light on the unknown, and in this case, we're prepared to use them,' Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA's associate administrator for science missions, told reporters.

We are interested in unidentified atmospheric phenomena for many reasons. It may be time to discover new science. Something that appeared almost magical turned out to be a scientific phenomenon.'

What is the 'new science' NASA wishes to unravel? Spergel said the group should gather information from civilians, government, non-profits, and companies, including existing data.

Zurbuchen said the group would also consider data from Earth-observation missions and astronomy. 

Leadership at NASA is aware of how this sounds. Dedicated UAP-research is seen as a “reputation risk” by Zurbuchen. '

It seems that many people in traditional science environments think talking about some of these issues is selling out or talking about things that aren't science,' Zurbuchen told reporters. „I am vehemently opposed to it.”

Even now, the agency must understand that raising the subject of UAPs means treading carefully between security concerns and, if we may use the term, creative theories. 

They're planting a seed in people's minds when officials talk about UAPs with their other alien-life search programs. Even though they admit there's no extraterrestrial explanation for UAPs, they lend credence to a connection.

In addition to its interest in the science of UAP's, NASA said today that it is concerned with the safety of our skies. NASA's first A is for aeronautics.

Now NASA has to take UFO claims seriously-and anyone reporting a sighting will know this.

In the modern UAP story, numerous characters have appeared: lawmakers, defense officials, UFO activists, rock star Tom DeLonge of Blink-182. Now the world's best space agency is in the cast with its advanced telescopes and probes.

NASA has announced it will make all of its findings public. Nothing will be hidden. That doesn't mean NASA is in control of the public narrative surrounding the project or any discoveries.