Condon Report: Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects (1969)
Date
January 9, 1969
Document Type
Academic Study
Pages
967
Authentication
Official PublicationIssuing Authority
University of Colorado; commissioned under USAF contract F44620-67-C-0035; directed by Dr. Edward U. Condon
Summary
A two-year, approximately $500,000 USAF-commissioned study of UFOs conducted by the University of Colorado under Dr. Edward Condon, delivered November 1968 and publicly released January 9, 1969. Condon's summary concluded continued UFO investigation would not advance science. The report's own case analyses, conducted by the study team, showed approximately 30% of investigated cases remained unexplained - a finding Condon's summary did not address. An internal 1966 memo by project coordinator Robert Low, later leaked and published, described the study as a 'trick' to create the appearance of objectivity while ensuring a predetermined conclusion. Project Blue Book was closed December 17, 1969 citing the report. Official US government UAP investigation did not formally resume until approximately 2007.
Significance
The Condon Report ended official US government UAP investigation for nearly 40 years. Its internal contradictions - dismissive summary vs. body cases showing substantial unknowns - and the Low memo demonstrating a predetermined conclusion represent the clearest documented case of an official investigation designed to reach a pre-set finding. Elizondo, Grusch, and disclosure advocates cite the Condon era as the institutional closure event that buried UAP research and established the suppression culture they describe.