Centro de Identificación Aeroespacial: Argentina’s Evolving UAP Investigation

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Argentina’s X-Files

In the global conversation about Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), government-led initiatives represent a methodical effort to bring scientific rigor to a subject often clouded by speculation. While programs in the United States and France frequently capture public attention, other nations have also established official bodies to investigate these occurrences. In South America, Argentina has maintained a long-standing commitment to the formal study of anomalous aerial events. This effort began as the Comisión de Estudio de Fenómenos Aeroespaciales (CEFAe) and has since evolved into the Centro de Identificación Aeroespacial (CIAE). Operating under the purview of the Argentine Air Force, the CIAE provides a structured, evidence-based framework for receiving, analyzing, and explaining reports of unusual sightings, continuing a mission of demystifying events through a multidisciplinary scientific approach. The organization doesn’t hunt for extraterrestrials; rather, it works to find conventional explanations for unconventional observations, contributing to both national air safety and public understanding.

The Genesis of an Official Inquiry

The formal establishment of an official investigative body in 2011 was not a sudden development but the culmination of decades of interest within Argentina’s military and scientific communities. Like many countries, Argentina experienced waves of public reports of unusual aerial sightings throughout the 20th century, particularly from the 1950s onward. These reports often came from credible witnesses, including commercial and military pilots, air traffic controllers, and law enforcement officers. Initially, such incidents were handled on an ad-hoc basis, with individual Air Force bases or departments looking into events that occurred within their jurisdiction. This decentralized approach meant that valuable data could be lost, and there was little opportunity to identify patterns or recurring phenomena over time.

The international context also played a role. By the early 21st century, several other nations had already established or revived official UAP investigation units. France’s GEIPAN, operating under the national space agency CNES, had set a precedent for a transparent, scientific-focused organization. Similarly, countries like Uruguay and Chile had created their own committees, reflecting a regional trend toward taking the phenomenon seriously. The direct impetus for a formal body in Argentina came from a growing recognition within the Air Force that a scientific approach was necessary for reasons of air safety and national security. On May 6, 2011, the Chief of the General Staff of the Argentine Air Force signed the resolution that officially brought the Comisión de Estudio de Fenómenos Aeroespaciales (CEFAe) into existence, an organization that would lay the groundwork for the future.

From CEFAe to CIAE: A New Chapter

After nearly eight years of operation, the original commission was restructured to better reflect its evolving mission. On April 4, 2019, CEFAe was officially renamed the Centro de Identificación Aeroespacial (CIAE). This was more than a simple name change; it marked a new phase for the organization. The core personnel from CEFAe were retained, ensuring a continuity of experience and methodology. However, the mandate was expanded. The CIAE was tasked not just with studying reported phenomena but with the broader objective of investigating and analyzing all aerospace phenomena of interest. This proactive stance allows the center to look into any unusual event in the nation’s airspace, not only those brought to its attention by public reports. As of July 2025, the CIAE continues to be an active organization, fulfilling this expanded role.

Mission and Core Objectives

The fundamental mission of the CIAE is to provide rational, scientific explanations for sightings of aerospace phenomena that are not immediately identifiable. Its purpose is not to prove or disprove the existence of extraterrestrial life. Instead, its objectives are grounded in practical concerns and a commitment to the scientific method.

First and foremost, the CIAE is a data collection and analysis body. Its primary objective is to maintain and expand the centralized, national database of UAP reports initiated by its predecessor. By gathering information from across the country in a standardized format, the center can build a comprehensive picture of the types of phenomena being observed. This allows analysts to look for patterns, geographic hotspots, or correlations with known activities.

A second key objective is the scientific evaluation of each report. The CIAE is explicitly multidisciplinary, bringing together a team of specialists to examine evidence from multiple angles. The goal is to identify a conventional explanation for the reported event. This process involves methodically checking a list of potential causes, from astronomical objects and atmospheric conditions to human technology and perceptual errors.

Third, the CIAE serves an important function in relation to air safety. Any object or phenomenon in the sky, identified or not, can pose a risk to aviation. By investigating UAP reports, especially those from pilots, the CIAE helps the Air Force maintain situational awareness of its airspace. If an investigation reveals a previously unknown type of drone activity or unusual weather patterns, this information can be used to update safety protocols.

Finally, the center has an educational and public outreach role. By engaging with the public and being transparent about its methods and findings, the CIAE aims to foster a more rational public discourse on the topic of UAP. It provides a formal channel for citizens to report their sightings, assuring them that their experience will be taken seriously and reviewed by experts.

The Investigative Methodology

The CIAE’s approach to investigating reports is methodical and structured. The process begins when a report is submitted, which can be done by any citizen or official via the organization’s official website or email. The commission encourages witnesses to provide as much detail as possible, including the date, time, location, a description of the object’s appearance and movement, and any photographic or video evidence.

Once a report is received, it undergoes an initial triage. Cases with sufficient data move on to the full analysis phase, where the multidisciplinary team of specialists contributes its expertise. This team typically includes:

• Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers: To evaluate a report from an operational aviation perspective.
• Meteorologists: To analyze weather data for conditions that could create optical phenomena like sundogs or lenticular clouds.
• Aerospace Engineers and Technicians: To help identify objects like conventional aircraft, drones, or re-entering space debris. They can check if a satellite like the International Space Station was passing overhead.
• Astronomers: To identify bright stars, planets, or meteors using planetarium software.
• Psychologists: To evaluate the potential for misperception or optical illusions.
• Photo and Video Analysts: To examine digital evidence for signs of manipulation and to enhance imagery for better analysis.

The investigation is a process of elimination. If, after exhausting all possibilities, the team cannot identify the phenomenon, the case is classified as “unexplained” or “pending.” This simply means the available data was insufficient to reach a definitive conclusion.

Categories of Explained Phenomena

The CIAE, like similar organizations worldwide, finds that the vast majority of reported sightings can be attributed to known causes. These are typically sorted into several main categories.

CIAE in the Public Sphere

Unlike some of its historical predecessors, such as the United States’ Project Blue Book, the CIAE operates with a significant degree of transparency. The center actively communicates its work to the public, conducting field investigations and publishing annual reports that summarize case resolutions. This commitment is ongoing, with its latest publication covering cases through August 2024, demonstrating the center’s continued activity. When the CIAE publicizes a resolved case, such as identifying a “fleet” of lights as a Starlink satellite constellation, it provides a detailed breakdown of the investigation. This not only solves the specific case but also equips the public with knowledge that can help them identify similar phenomena in the future. This public-facing role is a delicate balancing act, but the CIAE’s focus on facts and evidence helps inject scientific rigor into a media landscape that can favor sensationalism.

Relationship with Other Organizations

The CIAE does not operate in a vacuum. Its effectiveness is enhanced by its collaboration with other national and international bodies. Within Argentina, the center works closely with various government agencies. The National Meteorological Service provides essential weather data, while the national space agency, CONAE (Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales), offers expertise on satellites and space activity. Internationally, the CIAE is part of an informal community of official UAP investigation bodies, allowing for the exchange of best practices with counterparts in countries like Uruguay, Chile, and France. This spirit of collaboration underscores a key principle: the study of UAP is a scientific problem, not just a national security one.

Summary

The Centro de Identificación Aeroespacial (CIAE) represents Argentina’s mature and pragmatic approach to the enduring mystery of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. Evolving from its predecessor, the CEFAe, the CIAE was established in 2019 with an expanded mandate to investigate all aerospace phenomena of interest. Under the Argentine Air Force, it continues its mission to solve puzzles, applying a rigorous, multidisciplinary methodology to find conventional explanations for strange sightings. Active as of mid-2025, the CIAE enhances air safety, provides a valuable public service through its transparent reporting and investigations, and fosters a rational public discourse grounded in science. It stands as a clear example of how a government institution can address a complex and often sensationalized topic with objectivity, continuity, and a steadfast commitment to finding the most probable answer.

Last update on 2025-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API