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Former NASA astronaut’s close encounter with mysterious metallic orbs in airplane raises questions

By isabelle // 2024-12-23

• Former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao encountered two metallic spherical orbs near his plane over Texas in August.
• The orbs, roughly three feet in diameter, flew at 20 feet distance and were not detected on radar or transponders.
• Chiao speculates the objects could be part of a secret military program, but government transparency remains lacking.
• Recent drone and UFO sightings near military installations and urban areas have fueled speculation about their origins.
• Chiao calls for greater government transparency to address public safety concerns and resolve the mystery.

In a startling revelation, former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao has come forward with an account of a close encounter with two metallic spherical orbs while flying his private plane over Texas in August. Chiao, who served as commander of Expedition 10 to the International Space Station, described the objects as roughly three feet in diameter and flying at an estimated distance of just 20 feet from his aircraft. The incident, which occurred at an altitude of 9,000 feet, has left both Chiao and the public questioning the origins of these mysterious objects. Chiao was en route from Colorado to Houston when the orbs suddenly zipped past his plane. One orb flew directly above the other, and the entire encounter lasted only a fraction of a second. "It’s just kinda dumb luck that they didn’t hit me," Chiao remarked, acknowledging the potential danger of the situation. "It could’ve been a bad result if they had actually hit me. It happened so quick, there wasn’t even a chance to get scared." Despite the orbs’ close proximity, they were not detected on radar or by the FAA-required transponders that typically track other aircraft. Air traffic control did not issue any warnings, and the objects did not appear on Chiao’s cockpit display. "It wasn’t on radar," Chiao noted. "Air traffic control certainly didn’t alert me, and it wasn’t on my display that shows other airplanes that are participating with the FAA-required transponders." Chiao’s account adds to the growing list of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) sightings in the United States, particularly in light of recent drone activity over New York and New Jersey. While Chiao initially speculated that the orbs could be part of a top-secret military drone program, he admitted that the lack of transparency from the government leaves many questions unanswered. "I don’t know what it was," Chiao confessed, describing the sighting as both "mysterious" and "disconcerting."

Government transparency and the drone mystery

Chiao’s encounter comes amid a surge of drone and UFO sightings across the country, many of which have occurred near sensitive military installations and urban areas. In recent weeks, reports of large, mysterious drones have flooded in from New Jersey and neighboring states, prompting widespread speculation about their origins. Some have suggested foreign espionage, while others point to advanced military technology or even extraterrestrial activity. Chiao believes the government’s lack of transparency on these matters is troubling. "They could tell us what they know," he said. "And if they really don’t know, that’s a little more disconcerting." His skepticism echoes the frustration expressed by Belleville Mayor Michael Melham, who recently criticized a federal briefing on the drone mystery as "disappointing, to say the least." The mayor's briefing, which was attended by more than 500 local leaders, reportedly failed to provide any concrete answers. "The mayors are livid," journalist Michael Shellenberger reported, citing one mayor’s account of automobile-sized drones hovering near his home.

A broader pattern of secrecy

Chiao’s experience and the recent drone sightings highlight a broader pattern of government secrecy surrounding UAP incidents. While the Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) has acknowledged the prevalence of metallic orbs in military UFO reports, little concrete information has been shared with the public. Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, the first director of AARO, has noted that these orbs are frequently observed worldwide, often performing "very interesting apparent maneuvers." For Chiao, the lack of transparency is not just frustrating—it’s potentially dangerous. "It’s hard to believe that our government doesn’t really know what’s going on," he said. "At first blush, to me, it seems like some kind of a military program, our military. And if it’s not that, then it gets a little more scary." As the year draws to a close, the mysteries surrounding these metallic orbs and the recent drone activity remain unsolved. Chiao’s account serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater transparency from the government, especially when it comes to matters that could impact public safety. Until then, the questions will continue to mount, leaving both experts and the public to wonder what—or who—is really behind these enigmatic aerial phenomena. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk Marca.com Vice.com

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