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Condon Report 1968 Analysis

---

title: "The Condon Report 1968: Scientific Study or Predetermined Conclusion?"

description: "Critical analysis of the University of Colorado's UFO study led by Dr. Edward Condon, examining its methodology, bias, internal conflicts, and lasting impact on scientific UFO research."

date: 1969-01-09

type: "Historical Document Analysis"

tags: ["Condon Report", "Air Force contract", "UFO debunking", "scientific bias", "Blue Book closure"]

---

Document Overview

The "Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects," known as the Condon Report, was commissioned by the U.S. Air Force and conducted by the University of Colorado from 1966 to 1968. Led by physicist Dr. Edward U. Condon, this $523,000 study was intended to provide definitive scientific assessment of UFOs. However, the report became mired in controversy due to evidence of predetermined conclusions, internal dissent, and selective case analysis. Despite finding that 30% of carefully studied cases remained unexplained, Condon concluded UFOs warranted no further scientific study - a recommendation that led to Project Blue Book's termination and decades of official dismissal.

Project Background

Air Force Motivation

Pressure Points (1965-1966):

Key Quotes

Condon's Conclusion

"Our general conclusion is that nothing has come from the study of UFOs in the past 21 years that has added to scientific knowledge...further extensive study of UFOs probably cannot be justified in the expectation that science will be advanced thereby."

Internal Dissent

"The project was programmed to reach a negative conclusion from the start." - Dr. David Saunders

McDonald's Response

"The Condon Report is a scientific scandal of major proportions." - Dr. James McDonald

Conclusions

The Condon Report represents one of the most controversial and damaging documents in UFO history. Commissioned to provide objective scientific analysis, it instead delivered predetermined conclusions that contradicted its own data. The report's finding that 30% of investigated cases remained unexplained should have warranted expanded research; instead, Condon recommended termination of all official study.

The internal conflicts, firings, and leaked memos revealed an investigation compromised from inception. The "trick" memo exposed the true agenda: appearing objective while ensuring negative conclusions. This scientific malpractice set back legitimate UFO research by decades and created a stigma that persists today.

However, the report's failure ultimately strengthened civilian UFO research and preserved crucial evidence. Its transparent bias and methodological flaws became obvious to serious researchers, who continued investigating despite official discouragement. The recent Pentagon acknowledgment of UAPs vindicates those who saw through the Condon Report's agenda and recognized the genuine mystery it attempted to dismiss.

The Condon Report stands as a cautionary tale about the corruption of science by politics and predetermined agendas. Its legacy reminds us that truth eventually emerges, despite official efforts to suppress it, and that genuine scientific inquiry cannot be stopped by biased reports, no matter how prestigious their authors or institutions.