SPICA - No 16 - 2010 Decembre

Magazine Overview

Title: SPICA NEWS
Issue: N° 16
Date: December 2010
Publisher: Association SPICA
Country: France
Language: French
Price: 3,00€

This issue of SPICA NEWS is dedicated to the "International Astronomy-Space-UFO Congress" which took place in Strasbourg on October 16-17, 2010. The magazine provides a detailed program of the event, including the speakers, their topics, and the schedule for both days. It also includes an editorial by the President, a summary of the year's planned meetings for the SPICA association, and several articles reflecting on the congress and the state of ufology.

Editorial: "Voilà à nouveau la revue !"

The President's editorial expresses the association's resumption of activities and dedicates this issue to the recent congress in Strasbourg. He congratulates Michel Padrines for organizing the event, acknowledging the difficulties he faced. The editorial highlights the opportunity to meet personalities from the ufology and astronomy fields and to present their association. It also mentions plans for future issues to be more image-rich and potentially include films and interviews, with a questionnaire to gauge member preferences. The President also expresses concern for Michel Padrines' progressing illness.

SPICA Association Information

SPICA NEWS is published by the association SPICA, located at 3, rue des Pierres - 67520 Odratzheim. Contact details, including phone and email, are provided. Christian Morgenthaler is the Director of Production and Editor-in-Chief, with Jean-Paul Frey as the Editorial Secretary. The publication is free for members and available for 3.00€ plus postage for non-members. It is an occasional publication.

Meetings Schedule for 2011

The association has scheduled several meetings for 2011, including:

• Board of Administration: February 19, May 14 (AG preparation), October 22.
• General Assembly: March 26 in Odratzheim.
• Sky Observation Evenings: March 12, April 9, May 14, June 3 (Ascension weekend), July 30-31 (Fontenoy-la-Joute), August 13 (afternoon relaxation, barbecue, and observation), September 23, October 22, November 18.

Table of Contents (Sommaire)

The table of contents lists the various articles and their page numbers, including:

• Program of the Strasbourg Colloquium (p4)
• "A Small Revolution, but Not a Big Evolution" (p7)
• "Thank You Michel" (p10)
• The Speakers (p11)
• Conference: Jesse Marcel Junior (p15)
• Velasco at the Strasbourg Congress (p17)
• Conference: Nike Pope (p18)
• Conference: Claude Nicollier (p19)
• Last flight of the space shuttle Atlantis (p21)
• The AR Drone in final approach (p22)
• Astronomy: Discovery of the largest known exoplanetary system (p22)
• Space: The Moon is shrinking (p23)
• Future cargo ships will resemble UFOs (p23)
• The origin of lunar seas is becoming clearer (p24)
• TR3A-TR3B: Terrestrial UFOs (p25)
• UFO incident of great importance in France (p27)
• A Russian space capsule has joined the ISU in Strasbourg (p28)

Program of the Colloquium (October 16-17, 2010)

Saturday, October 16, 2010:

• 10:00: Public entry, stand opening, ticket check.
• 10:30: Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe (Professor and Director of the Astrobiology Center, Cardiff) - Discussed panspermia, interstellar dust, and cosmology.
• 12:15: Official opening of the Congress, Vin d'Honneur with guests, sponsors, and the Municipality of Strasbourg.
• 13:30: Vincenzo Puletto (President, Ufological Center of Taranto) - "Man's historical baggage: a springboard for a leap into the future."
• 13:30: Antonio de Comite (General Director, Ufological Center of Taranto) - "UFO Disclosure of the 3rd Millennium."
• 15:15: Claude Nicollier (Astronaut) - "Space Flights and NASA & Hubble Rescue in full sky." His space missions included Atlantis, Discovery, Columbia, and Endeavour.
• 16:30: Nick Pope (Former Director, UFO Desk, Ministry of Defence) - "The UFO Files of the British Government."
• 18:15: Jean-Pierre Petit (Astrophysicist, Former Director of Research at CNRS, UFO-SCIENCE) - Discussed "Structure of the universe - Interstellar voyages - Detection - Automatic stations - The Ummo affair, and its scientific repercussions," and "UFO-science publications in colloquiums in Vilnius, Bremen and in the journal Acta Physica Polonica, projects." He also presented the MHD bench.
• 24:00: End of conferences and stands.

Sunday, October 17, 2010:

• 10:00: Public entry and stand opening.
• 10:30: Jean-Pierre Petit - "Fluid Mechanics."
• 10:30: Daniel Michau (Helicopter test pilot).
• 10:30: Jack Krine (Colonel of the Air Force, fighter pilot, former leader of the Patrouille de France, former captain and instructor on Airbus) - "Testimonials from professional, civilian, and military pilots. Projection of a 3D film illustrating the testimonials, impressive!"
• 12:15: Lunch Break.
• 13:30: Stanton Friedman (Researcher in Nuclear Physics) - "Flying Saucers and Science."
• 15:15: Jean-Jacques Velasco (Former Director of GEPAN and SEPRA, CNES) - Presented a synthesis of thirty years of professional and personal research on unidentified aerospace phenomena, emphasizing its link to citizenship and humanity's connection to the universe.
• 17:15: Jesse Marcel Junior (Colonel US Army - Chief Medical Officer of the State of Montana) - "July 1947 The Roswell Case - My Father's Legacy." He discussed the Roswell incident as an enigma mixing hidden truth, dissimulation, and false testimonies, aiming to present a clearer picture of the man at the center of the controversy.
• 19:00: Malcolm Robinson (Researcher and Writer / UFO Case Files of Scotland) - "The best UFO sightings in Scotland."
• 20:15: Hervé Laurent (Researcher and Writer) - "The noosphere or the plurality of worlds through the grids of spiritual and Teilhardian reading."
• 21:30: End of Congress and stands.

Article: "Une petite révolution mais pas de grande évolution."

This article, written by Dominique Schall, revisits the author's previous article from January 2006 about the European ufological encounters in Châlons. The author notes that while the Strasbourg congress was a significant event, it did not represent a major revolution but rather a small evolution in the field. The article contrasts the "big fair" atmosphere of the Châlons event with the more focused, salon-like nature of the Strasbourg congress. It emphasizes the importance of scientific involvement, noting that for the first time in France, real scientists responded to the invitation of ufologists. The author poses philosophical questions about humanity's connection to the stars and the practice of ufological research. The article also touches upon the challenges ufologists face in gaining wider acceptance and the need for improved communication. The author concludes that the Strasbourg congress, with its high-caliber scientific speakers, was a significant step forward.

Article: "Merci Michel"

This piece, written by Christian Kiefer, expresses gratitude to Michel Padrines for organizing the 2010 Strasbourg congress. It acknowledges the obstacles and health issues Padrines faced but commends him for successfully bringing the event to fruition. The author highlights the high level of the congress, with a distinguished group of international and French specialists. The text concludes with congratulations to Padrines and anticipation for the next congress.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the Strasbourg International Astronomy-Space-UFO Congress, its speakers, and the topics discussed. There is a strong emphasis on the need for scientific rigor and credibility in ufology, with the article by Dominique Schall particularly advocating for this shift. The magazine also touches upon historical UFO cases like Roswell and explores broader themes in astronomy and space exploration. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting serious, scientific inquiry into unexplained phenomena while acknowledging the challenges and skepticism faced by ufologists. There is also a personal note of concern for the health of Michel Padrines, the congress organizer.

This issue of the magazine focuses on a series of conferences covering a range of topics from astrobiology and ufology to space exploration. The articles summarize presentations by various experts, offering insights into their research and experiences.

Conference Summaries

The Conference of Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe Professor Nalin Chandra Wickramasinghe, a proponent of panspermia, presented his theory that Earth was seeded by cosmic dust and comets. He explained that this dust has a partially organic composition, and the hypothesis of lithopanspermia suggests asteroids may have transported water and life to Earth. His research primarily focuses on finding extraterrestrial life within meteorites. He cited the example of the Surveyor 3 probe, where bacteria were found in its camera after its return to Earth, and the Murchison meteorite, which contained DNA bases. He also mentioned the ALH84001 meteorite, containing amino acids, the building blocks of life. Wickramasinghe concluded that micro-meteorites, 50 to 500 micrometers in size, likely brought organic molecules to Earth, originating from cometary dust rather than asteroids.

The Conference of Jack Krine Colonel Jack Krine, a retired French Air Force officer and former leader of the Patrouille de France, shared a personal observation from September 23, 1975. While flying a Mirage III C on a night training mission near Cambrai, he and his co-pilot encountered an extraordinary phenomenon resembling a rugby ball with illuminated portholes. The object displayed unusual behavior, observing them and disappearing when approached. Krine stated that he still does not know what they encountered and that no known machine possesses such capabilities. He also discussed the pilots' decision to remain silent about the incident to protect their careers and the general principle that new technologies are often developed for military purposes first.

The Conference of Jesse Marcel Junior Colonel Jesse Marcel Junior, son of the intelligence officer involved in the Roswell incident, presented his father's account. He clarified that his objective was to present a clearer image of his father, Jesse Marcel Senior, who was at the center of the Roswell controversy. Marcel Junior described his father bringing home debris from the Roswell crash site in July 1947. He detailed the debris as metallic sheets, bakelite-like rods, and a beam with purple-violet symbols, emphasizing that it was not of terrestrial origin. He noted that his father, a Major in intelligence, would not have mistaken debris from a weather balloon for something else. He also commented on the famous photo of his father with General Ramey, suggesting his father's expression indicated he was compelled to lie about the nature of the debris, which he believed were radar reflector remnants from a balloon, not the actual Roswell debris.

Conference of Nick Pope Nick Pope, who led the British Ministry of Defence's UFO desk, discussed his investigations into UFO observations. Initially skeptical, he changed his mind after investigating significant cases, including the Rendlesham Forest incident in December 1980, where American soldiers observed and followed a landed object. He also mentioned a wave of UFO sightings in March 1993, described by witnesses as vast, triangular craft capable of incredible maneuvers. Pope highlighted spectacular encounters between civilian and military aircraft and UFOs on British soil.

Conference of Claude Nicollier Astronaut Claude Nicollier, who has over 1000 hours of space flight experience, shared his biography and involvement in space missions. A former Swiss military pilot and test pilot, he was selected by the ESA in 1978 and trained with NASA. He participated in four NASA missions, including STS-46 (deploying Eureca), STS-61 (repairing the Hubble telescope), STS-75 (attempting to deploy a satellite), and STS-103 (further Hubble maintenance). Nicollier discussed the challenges of space repairs, the need for astronauts to be securely attached, and the rigorous training involved, including simulations in underwater facilities. He expressed enthusiasm for meeting ufologists and encouraged those interested in becoming astronauts to not be claustrophobic.

Jean-Jacques Velasco at the Strasbourg Congress Jean-Jacques Velasco, formerly responsible for CNES, GEPAN, and SEPRA, presented his insights on UFOs. He discussed the difference between PANs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) and UFOs, citing cases like Maurice Masse in Valensole and the Airbus A320 incident near Nancy as evidence of UFOs landing in France. He noted that UFOs appear more aggressive towards military aircraft and mentioned global cases such as the 1976 Tehran incident and a 1957 encounter involving a Boeing RB 1947. A particularly captivating part of his presentation involved the relationship between nuclear tests and UFOs, including observations over bases storing nuclear missiles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The issue consistently explores unexplained aerial phenomena, extraterrestrial life, and space exploration, reflecting a strong interest in ufology and astronomy. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various perspectives and evidence from experts in their respective fields, while acknowledging the inherent mysteries and ongoing debates surrounding these subjects. The inclusion of personal accounts and scientific theories suggests an effort to bridge the gap between the extraordinary and the observable. The recurring theme is the exploration of the unknown, whether in the depths of space or in the skies above Earth.

This issue, identified by the number 21, features a prominent cover story on the final flight of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, titled 'Dernier vol pour la navette spatiale Atlantis'. The issue date is noted as May 14, 2010, with the launch occurring at 20:20 French time. The magazine covers a range of topics including space exploration, astronomy, and unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP), with a particular focus on the TR-3B aircraft.

Space Exploration: The Final Flight of Atlantis

The lead article details the final mission of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-132, which marked the retirement of NASA's shuttle fleet after nearly 25 years. The shuttle was scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center on May 14, 2010, at 14:20 local time (20:20 French time) and could be followed live on NASA TV. The mission, lasting 12 days, was commanded by Ken Ham and involved a crew of six astronauts. Their primary objectives included installing equipment on the International Space Station (ISS) and attaching the Russian Rassvet module, which would serve as additional storage space and a docking port for Russian spacecraft. The mission included three spacewalks for tasks such as installing a ground communication antenna and replacing batteries on the ISS. Atlantis was expected to return to Earth on May 26, 2010, at 12:34 in Florida, concluding a career of 32 flights. The last planned launch of an American shuttle, Endeavour, was scheduled for November 2010.

Technology and Gadgets: The AR Drone

Another section introduces the AR Drone, a quadcopter developed by the French company Parrot. This remotely controlled device features Wi-Fi integration and two cameras (one for estimating ground speed and stability, the other for sending video to iOS devices). It is controlled via the device's accelerometer and supports augmented reality gaming. The AR Drone was available for pre-order at 299 euros, with deliveries expected on August 18. The accompanying 'Free Flight' application was available for download.

Astronomy: Discovery of a Large Exoplanetary System

An article reports on a significant astronomical discovery made by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). On August 23, 2010, astronomers announced the detection of five, possibly seven, planets orbiting a star named HD 10180, located 127 light-years away. This system is described as the most extensive planetary system found outside our solar system to date. At least five of these planets have masses comparable to Neptune (13 to 25 times Earth's mass) and orbit the star within 6 to 600 days. Two additional 'sister' planets are suspected: one with a mass of at least 65 times Earth's, orbiting in 2,200 days, and another with 1.4 times Earth's mass, orbiting very close to its star in just 1.18 days. The latter is likely rocky but too hot for life. The discovery was made using the Harps spectrograph on a 3.6-meter telescope at La Silla, Chile, an instrument renowned for its ability to detect subtle stellar variations caused by orbiting planets.

Space: The Moon is Shrinking

This section discusses recent observations suggesting that the Moon's diameter is decreasing, attributed to internal cooling. Mark Robinson, a co-author of a study on the subject, noted that ultra-high-definition images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) cameras have changed perceptions of the Moon. These images reveal what appear to be 'wrinkles' or thrust faults on the lunar surface, indicating contraction. Thomas Watters of the National Air and Space Museum explained that these fault features are relatively recent and distributed across the lunar surface, likely resulting from the Moon's internal cooling. The article also mentions that these features are evidence of the Moon's volcanic history and subsequent 'regolithization' from solar wind and micro-meteorite impacts.

Future Cargo Ships Resemble UFOs

An announcement published on Gizmodo.fr on October 3, 2010, describes future aerial cargo ships that are ecological and resemble UFOs. These craft, theoretically capable of lifting 150 tons and with a wingspan of 152 meters, have a saucer shape designed to withstand high winds and cover distances of up to 2,000 km. The Skylifter company plans to build one of these craft within three years.

The Origin of Lunar Seas

Jean-Baptiste Feldmann, writing for Futura-Sciences, explores the origin of the Moon's 'seas' (darker regions). Radar measurements from the Japanese Selene probe (Selenological and Engineering Explorer) have helped researchers understand the formation of these lunar maria. These dark areas, covering about 16% of the surface, were once mistaken for bodies of water but are actually vast basins formed by meteorite impacts and subsequently filled with lava flows. The article names some of these seas, such as the Sea of Tranquility. The Selene mission included the Kaguya probe, which impacted the Moon in June 2009 after providing extensive data and images. Analysis of radar sounder data from Kaguya suggests that the lunar basins filled with successive basaltic lava flows over a long period, from three billion to 500 million years ago. During periods between volcanic activity, the solidified lava underwent alteration through solar wind and micro-meteorite impacts, a process called regolithization. Researchers observed variations in radar signals over certain lunar seas, which they attribute to the presence of mineral oxides like ilmenite, capable of absorbing radar signals. The study concludes that the alternation of volcanic episodes and regolithization phases is a phenomenon common to all lunar seas.

TR3A-TR3B: Terrestrial UFOs

This extensive section investigates the phenomenon of triangular UFO sightings, particularly focusing on the TR-3B Astra, a secret US military aircraft. The article posits that many sightings of triangular UFOs before 1988 were either conventional aircraft or secret delta-shaped military dirigible prototypes. The TR-3B is described as a 'plate-forme militaire à structure triangulaire défiant la gravité' (military platform with a triangular structure defying gravity), in service since 1994. It is said to be capable of speeds exceeding Mach 9 and reaching altitudes of 33 kilometers. The article references rumors of secret US military operations and sightings in various locations, including Belgium, Australia, and the USA. It quotes Jean-Marc Roeder, an aeronautical engineer, who suggests that the TR-3B's technology may have originated from extraterrestrial civilizations, possibly recovered from crashed UFOs. The technology is described as antigravitational and utilizing a 'Magnetic Field Disruption (MFD)' system, allowing for silent, high-speed flight and incredible maneuverability. The TR-3B is presented as a primitive hybrid prototype developed by Lockheed Martin and Boeing in 1986. The article also mentions the TR-3A Sportster, used in the Gulf War, and the ARV Flux Liner, an earlier antigravity research vehicle. It speculates that human understanding and application of these advanced technologies are limited, hindering further progress in space exploration.

Associations and Resources

The final pages list various ufology and science associations, including Ufomania magazine, OVNI-LANGUEDOC, CENAP, GEP, Fédération Française d'Ufologie, Le GERU, CRUCRAS, CISU, and COMITE NORD-EST DES GROUPES UFOLOGIQUES. It also highlights the association SPICA, which promotes a scientific approach to ufology and invites participation from members interested in astronomy, meteorology, aeronautics, space conquest, and ufology. SPICA emphasizes scientific research, objectivity, and respect for witnesses' anonymity. Contact information for SPICA is provided, along with details on how to support the association through donations or purchasing merchandise.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine exhibits a strong interest in space exploration, astronomy, and the unexplained. There is a clear focus on scientific inquiry, as evidenced by the detailed reporting on astronomical discoveries and the scientific approach advocated by the SPICA association. However, the magazine also delves into more speculative topics, such as the TR-3B aircraft and its potential extraterrestrial origins, suggesting an openness to exploring phenomena that challenge conventional understanding. The editorial stance appears to be one of informed curiosity, encouraging readers to engage with scientific advancements while remaining open to the possibility of unexplained phenomena.