CENAP Infoline - no 136

Magazine Overview

This issue of CENAP-INFOLINE, dated June 20, 2001, is titled "SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY" and features astronaut Ulf Merbold on its cover. The magazine delves into space exploration, military technology, and UFOlogy.

Ulf Merbold: A Life in Space

The lead article focuses on German astronaut Ulf Merbold as he approaches his 60th birthday. Merbold reflects on his first spaceflight on November 28, 1983, aboard the US space shuttle 'Columbia' for the STS-9 mission, describing it as "like the first love: an experience that shapes and stays." He recounts the profound impact of seeing Earth from space, emphasizing its beauty and fragility. Merbold's journey into space began with a newspaper advertisement in 1977 seeking scientists for the Spacelab, leading him to be selected from over 700 applicants. He completed 72 scientific experiments during his first mission. Merbold has flown two more missions: aboard the space shuttle 'Discovery' from January 22-31, 1992, and a four-week mission on the Russian space station Mir starting October 3, 1994. Currently, he is responsible for the scientific use of the European part of the International Space Station (ISS) at the ESA center in Noordwijk, Netherlands. Despite his passion for flying, he considers a fourth mission unrealistic given the number of astronauts who have yet to fly.

UFO Reports and Sightings

The magazine includes several reports on UFO sightings and related phenomena:

• First UFO near the International Space Station? A German amateur astronomer reported seeing a strange object near the ISS on December 22, 2000. It was later identified as a Russian Progress transporter that had detached from the station. The transporter was scheduled to redock on December 26.
• Space Junkfall in Australia: On December 27, 2000, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that space debris from the Russian space station Mir, which was scheduled for a controlled ocean descent in February 2001, caused a spectacular light show over Australia.
• Meteor Creates Light Spectacle: On January 24, 2001, numerous people in Anchorage, Alaska, reported seeing a very bright object moving rapidly across the sky, shedding parts. The phenomenon was described as a "gigantic fireworks display high in the sky."
• UFO Filmed in Norwegian Namdalen: On January 23, 2001, Norwegian public television reported on a UFO video recorded by an anonymous woman in a valley in Namdalen, Norway. The recording showed a "quite large, spherical, gas-like light" that appeared to move low over the ground. A representative from the UFO Norge organization deemed the recording "quite convincing."

Military Technology: The X-45

The issue discusses the secretive "Aurora" project, the successor to the SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft, which was a topic of interest for aeronautics and UFO enthusiasts in the late 1990s. It notes that the project may have been delayed due to technical issues and strategic reassessments. The article then introduces the X-45 (also known as the X-39 concept), described as the next generation of small aircraft, a hybrid drone and fighter jet, for which the Pentagon has allocated $100 billion for development. NASA, the Air Force, and Boeing Industries are developing this Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV), designed for dangerous missions without risking pilots. The UCAV is intended to have the combat power of a cruise missile but at a significantly lower cost. These stealth-equipped aircraft are designed for prolonged operations in enemy airspace, equipped with smart weapon systems. The X-45 is presented as a cost-effective alternative to cruise missiles and an evolution of Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) used since the 1950s for reconnaissance.

Trouble for Pre-Astronautics Through Defectors

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a critical examination of the pre-astronautics and UFOlogy fields. Dr. Klaus Richter, a former proponent of pre-astronautics, has published an article on his website detailing his disillusionment. Richter, who had previously defended theories by authors like Erich von Däniken and Johannes von Buttlar, explains that his skepticism grew as he realized how often falsehoods were cited and perpetuated, while valid research was ignored. He points to the collapse of the Mars face hoax and Carl Sagan's book "The Dragon in My Garage" as pivotal moments in his shift away from unquestioning belief. Richter attended an AAS meeting in Berlin in August 2000 to share his findings but felt he was not heard. He criticizes the AAS and pre-astronautics circles for lacking interest in factual and constructive criticism, stating that those in leading positions do not want their beliefs challenged. He argues that the scientific community is often unfairly criticized and defamed by these fields, which accuse scientists of trying to dismiss evidence of extraterrestrial visitors. Richter emphasizes that pre-astronautics, like academic UFOlogy, suffers from a fundamental anti-scientific bias. He highlights that while science requires evidence and rigorous analysis, pre-astronautics often relies on speculation and unsubstantiated claims, demanding that science engage with these theories without providing their own empirical proof. He concludes that no genuine evidence for extraterrestrial visitors in Earth's early history has been presented, yet speculation and conspiracy theories continue to flourish.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to maintain a balanced approach, presenting both mainstream scientific developments (like Ulf Merbold's space career and the X-45 program) and more fringe topics (UFO sightings, pre-astronautics). However, there is a clear critical stance towards the unscientific aspects of UFOlogy and pre-astronautics, as evidenced by the detailed critique from Klaus Richter. The editorial stance seems to favor empirical evidence and scientific rigor, while acknowledging the public's fascination with unexplained phenomena and alternative theories. The magazine aims to inform readers about both established scientific endeavors and the ongoing debates and controversies within the ufological and pre-astronautics communities.