NIDS
From the UAP Encyclopedia, the open encyclopedia of UFO and UAP history · 🏢 Organization
Contents 6
| Type | Organization |
|---|---|
| Also known as | National Institute for Discovery Science |
| On the Timeline | 16 events, 1978–2022 |
The National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) was a privately funded research organisation in Las Vegas, Nevada, founded in 1995 by real-estate and aerospace entrepreneur Robert Bigelow to study UFOs and other anomalous phenomena. Best known for its investigation of Skinwalker Ranch in Utah, it was disbanded in October 2004.[1]
Research
NIDS studied a range of anomalies, especially cattle mutilations and reports of black triangular UFOs. Its deputy administrator, Colm Kelleher, said the institute studied anomalies rather than aliens. In 1999 it set up a hotline for reports of strange events, which received more than 5,000 calls and emails; officials said many turned out to be missile launches and meteors.[1][2]
Skinwalker Ranch
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In 1996 Bigelow bought a ranch in Utah after journalist George Knapp wrote about the strange events its owners described. NIDS scientists, led by Kelleher, investigated the property for several years. Kelleher and Knapp later described the work in the book Hunt for the Skinwalker.[1][3]
Black triangles
NIDS also made a geographic study of reports of black triangular UFOs, which suggested that many were connected with U.S. Air Force aircraft.[4]
Legacy
After NIDS closed, Bigelow's interest in anomalies continued: from 2008 his company carried out the Pentagon-funded AAWSAP study of advanced aerospace threats, which also examined Skinwalker Ranch.[5]
On the UAP Timeline
- Fort Dix–McGuire incident (18 January 1978) — An alleged Air Force form describes a UAP incident and body recovery at Fort Dix and McGuire AFB.
- Steve Millard's Silicon Valley study group (10 November 1986) — A Silicon Valley investor hosts a private UAP study group including Vallée.
- TRESTLE facility and Ron Blackburn (1990) — A Lockheed engineer tells Vallée he helped build the TRESTLE facility.
- Roper Organization abduction survey (1991) (22 May 1991) — Vallée says Liechtenstein's prince funded a study of alien abduction claims through Robert Bigelow.
- Bigelow recruits consciousness experts (1996) (7 January 1996) — Bigelow tells Vallée he is hiring experts on consciousness.
- Las Vegas data-gathering meeting (1996) (28 January 1996) — Military, scientific and corporate figures meet in Las Vegas about gathering UAP data.
- Bigelow's expectation of a UFO announcement (1998) (11 January 1998) — Bigelow tells Vallée he feels a dramatic UAP development is coming soon.
- Blackburn–Warmkessel drag reduction patent (22 August 1998) — Lockheed's Ron Blackburn patents a technology to improve vehicle efficiency.
- Bigelow's contact contingency planning (1999) (8 January 1999) — Bigelow discusses the need for a plan if alien contact were confirmed.
- NIDS black triangle study (3 November 2001) — Over 150 black triangle sightings are tallied at a NIDS meeting.
- Howard Cross's own sighting (17 December 2001) — A researcher finds a Blue Book file showing a Battelle scientist reported his own sighting.
- Will Miller's offer to Davis and Puthoff (25 April 2002) — A retired Navy commander offers his services researching crash retrievals.
- Wilson–Davis notes (16 October 2002) — Eric Davis allegedly meets Vice Adm. Thomas Wilson about a secret UAP program.
- Arlington Institute contact scenario exercises (14 September 2003) — Puthoff took part in a think tank's role-play of possible alien contact scenarios.
- Four "iron post" sources (6 March 2004) — A consultant tells Vallée that four trusted insider sources back Puthoff and Davis.
- Brandon Fugal's conviction (27 October 2022) — Skinwalker Ranch owner Brandon Fugal says senior figures convinced him reverse engineering is real.
References
- National Institute for Discovery Science — Wikipedia · en.wikipedia.org · archived copy
- Brandon M. Mercer, "The UFO Hunters — Scientists at the National Institute for Discovery Science study anomalous phenomena", UFO Evidence · ufoevidence.org · archived copy
- "Nevada Millionaire Buys 'UFO Ranch' in Utah", Las Vegas Sun (23 Oct 1996) · lasvegassun.com · archived copy
- Black triangle (UFO) — Wikipedia · en.wikipedia.org · archived copy
- Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program — Wikipedia · en.wikipedia.org · archived copy
This page was last edited on 29 October 2026. Articles are written in our own words from the sources listed under References; disputed claims are attributed to the people who made them.
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