Philippe Ailleris’ Post

This week I had the opportunity to contribute to the IFEX 2025 SETI & UAP Conference, presenting ESA’s perspective on the topic of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). For ESA, UAP are not part of our mandate or programmes. However, questions from the public are inevitable, especially after visible space events such as rocket launches, satellite re-entries, satellite constellation deployments (like the Starlink train), or the International Space Station passing overhead. Many reported sightings can be explained by such activities, which fall naturally within ESA’s areas of expertise in space safety and observation. At the same time, UAP remain a subject of public curiosity, often linked to the bigger question of extraterrestrial life. Here, ESA’s position is clear: while UAP are not part of our formal mandate, we take the topic seriously. Our role is to respond consistently, factually, and responsibly, guided by transparency, rigorous science, and the same spirit of exploration that drives our missions to Mars, comets, icy moons, and exoplanets. In doing so, ESA can engage constructively with public curiosity, strengthen preparedness, and reaffirm its role as a trusted and respected scientific institution.