Who is Bill Nelson?

Bill Nelson was confirmed by a unanimous Senate vote on April 29th to lead NASA. Since taking office, he has increasingly voiced his belief that humanity may not be alone in the universe. Appointed by President Biden, Nelson's views have been noted, even by a divided Senate that agreed on his leadership, despite differing opinions on many other issues.

Previously, Nelson served as a U.S. Senator from Florida from 2001 to 2019, witnessing the end of NASA's shuttle program and the rise of commercial spaceflight. After his narrow loss to Rick Scott in 2018, he joined NASA's advisory council, advocating for human space exploration to the Moon and Mars.

Nelson's background as a former astronaut is significant; he flew on the space shuttle Columbia in 1986, marking the last successful mission before the Challenger disaster. His experience in the Senate earned him a reputation as a key figure in space legislation.

What is He Saying Publicly?

Recently, Nelson participated in an in-depth discussion at the University of Virginia, where he addressed UAPs during an interview with Larry Sabato. They briefly explored the topic while discussing potential asteroid threats to Earth. Nelson highlighted his firsthand experience with UAPs, referencing classified briefings he received while in the Senate following the 2017 revelations about military encounters.

"I know what you’ve seen is what those Navy pilots saw in 2004, and there have been some 300 sightings since then. I’ve talked to those pilots, and they know they saw something, and their radars locked onto it," he stated, expressing the mystery surrounding these encounters.

Nelson voiced concerns about the implications if such technology belonged to adversaries like Russia or China, underscoring the national security risks. However, the June 25th report on UAPs suggests that these sightings are unlikely to be linked to any nation’s technology, indicating the possibility of extraterrestrial origins.

Exploring New Ideas

Nelson has introduced fresh perspectives on NASA's relationship with UFOs. "But it’s something. And so, this is a mission that we’re constantly looking at — what, who is out there? Who are we?" he mused, reflecting on the vastness of the universe.

When asked about his theories regarding UAPs, he remarked, "I don’t know the answer to that. But I do know this, that my personal opinion is that the universe is so big, and now, there are even theories that there might be other universes." His willingness to entertain such concepts marks a notable shift in tone from previous NASA administrations.

UAP truth advocate Christopher Mellon deemed Nelson's statements unprecedented and significant, praising his honesty as a NASA director.

Actions Taken

In a conversation with CNN, Nelson mentioned his access to classified reports and the uncertainty surrounding UAP sightings by Navy pilots. He emphasized the need for scientific investigation into these incidents. NASA's press secretary confirmed that Nelson has directed researchers to explore these phenomena without stigma, encouraging open inquiry into the topic.

Questions He Raises

Nelson posed several profound questions that reflect a deeper understanding of our place in the cosmos: - What, who is out there? - Who are we? - How did we get here? - How did we become as we are? - How did we develop? - How did we civilize?

These inquiries suggest that Nelson perceives a more complex narrative surrounding human development, hinting at the potential for external influences.

The Motivation Behind His Statements

Nelson’s age and life experiences, including his military service and time as an astronaut, may contribute to his openness about UAPs. At 79, he appears ready to confront the mysteries of existence, advocating for truth and exploration.

As he continues to speak candidly, he invites NASA to pursue answers to these longstanding questions. The scientific community eagerly awaits further developments.

The Full Interview

For those interested in the complete context of his remarks, the entire interview with Larry Sabato is available here:

Trail of the Saucers is published by Stellar Productions and Bryce Zabel, co-host of the popular podcast Need to Know with Coulthart and Zabel.