Sun Dec 22 07:00:00 UTC 2024: **Former NASA Astronaut Reports Close Encounter with Unexplained Metallic Orbs**
HOUSTON, TX – Leroy Chiao, a veteran NASA astronaut with a distinguished career, reported a close encounter with two unidentified metallic orbs while piloting his light aircraft near Houston in August. The orbs, estimated to be three feet in diameter, passed within 20 feet of his plane at an altitude of approximately 9,000 feet.
Chiao, speaking to NewsNation, stated that the objects were not detected by radar, air traffic control, or his own aircraft’s transponder system. The encounter was brief, lasting only a second, leaving him with no time to react. While acknowledging the possibility of a military drone, he admitted he remains uncertain about their origin.
NASA acknowledges that various phenomena, from planets and military aircraft to even toys, can be mistaken for Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs). The agency highlights celestial bodies like Venus, Jupiter, and Sirius as frequent sources of misidentification. Other possibilities include rocket launches, weather balloons, and experimental aircraft.
Chiao’s account adds to the ongoing discussion surrounding UAPs. While he speculated on a military explanation, the lack of detection by standard aviation systems leaves the nature of the objects a mystery. The incident underscores the continued interest and ongoing investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena.
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