Pentagon Releases Fourth Batch of UFO Files; Avi Loeb to Lead New Research Panel

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) released its fourth batch of declassified documents on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), commonly referred to as UFOs, on July 10. According to a report by Cheyenne MacDonald on Engadget, this batch includes decades’ worth of reports from NASA, the Department of Energy, CIA, the Department of Defense, and the FBI.

Since early May, the Pentagon has been gradually uploading UAP-related files to a publicly accessible database. This fourth release includes scanned images of paper documents detailing eyewitness accounts, as well as numerous illustrations, photographs, and videos. The U.S. government has stated its commitment to increasing transparency about UAP knowledge and plans to continue releasing declassified documents periodically.

Theoretical Physicist to Lead UAP Research

Earlier this month, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) announced the establishment of a specialized panel to study UAPs and their potential threats. The panel will be led by theoretical physicist Avi Loeb, who has long been involved in searching for evidence of extraterrestrial life. Loeb has previously claimed to have discovered potential evidence of extraterrestrial existence, sparking controversy both within and outside the scientific community.

The panel’s primary aim is to assess the risks UAPs may pose to national security. The Department of Defense plans to systematically analyze UAP-related data that intelligence agencies have collected over the years.

Tianwen-2 Reaches Asteroid for Sample Collection

On July 7, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced that its Tianwen-2 probe had reached its target asteroid, 2016 HO3. Tianwen-2, launched in the spring of 2025, aims to collect samples from a near-Earth asteroid and return them to Earth.

Images released by CNSA reveal that the probe captured photos from a distance of just 20 kilometers from the asteroid. Tianwen-2 will remain in the vicinity of the asteroid for several months, eventually landing on its surface to collect samples. The collected material is expected to return to Earth by the end of 2027.

The asteroid 2016 HO3, also known as Kamo’oalewa, is a quasi-satellite asteroid. Its name, derived from Hawaiian, means “oscillating celestial object.” The asteroid has been orbiting near Earth for approximately 100 years as a quasi-satellite, making it an ideal target for sample-return missions due to its proximity and orbital characteristics.

A New Chapter in the Sample-Return Race

China’s attempt at an asteroid sample-return mission follows successful efforts by the U.S. and Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) brought back samples from the asteroid Ryugu with its Hayabusa2 mission, providing new insights into the early solar system. Similarly, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission successfully returned samples from the asteroid Bennu.

The success of the Tianwen-2 mission is expected to serve as a milestone, showcasing China’s capabilities in deep space exploration on the global stage. Having already achieved notable milestones with its Chang’e lunar exploration program and the Tianwen-1 Mars mission, China also plans to carry out a manned moon landing in the late 2020s.

In other news, it has been reported that Wally Funk, one of the women who trained as an astronaut candidate for NASA’s Mercury 13 program, has passed away at the age of 87. A trailblazer in the field, Funk was not only the first female inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) but also held the record as the oldest astronaut.

Editorial Opinion

The Pentagon’s phased release of UAP-related documents significantly expands public access to information that was previously classified. However, the scope and quality of the released documents remain limited, making it premature to fully assess the government’s commitment to transparency. While the decision to have Avi Loeb lead the research panel is commendable, it’s worth noting that his past claims have not always aligned with scientific consensus. It remains uncertain whether the panel’s findings will gain broad acceptance within the scientific community.

The arrival of Tianwen-2 at its target asteroid marks a significant step in China’s growing presence in solar system exploration. The race for asteroid sample-return missions is not merely a technological competition but also a long-term effort to validate planetary formation theories and lay the groundwork for resource exploration. If China successfully returns samples in 2027, it could significantly reshape the landscape of international space exploration.

These two major stories underscore the dual themes of the limitations of government transparency and the intensifying race among nations in space exploration. Readers should note that the newly disclosed UAP data should not merely serve as fodder for conspiracy theories but should be treated as a subject for serious scientific analysis.

References

• “Pentagon releases new batch of UFO files, China’s Tianwen-2 reaches its asteroid target, and more science stories”, by [email protected] (Cheyenne MacDonald) — Engadget, 2026-07-12T19:58:35.000Z (ARR)
• Source URL: https://www.engadget.com/2213137/pentagon-releases-ufo-files-china-tianwen-2-asteroid-science-news/