Apollo 17 Astronauts Report Unidentified Bright Objects in S

Apollo 17 Astronauts Report Unidentified Bright Objects in Space

During the Apollo 17 mission, astronauts reported seeing bright fragments and a mysterious rotating object, raising questions about unidentified phenomena in space.

Published

June 19, 2026

Declassified

May 8, 2026

Source agency

U.S. Department of War

apolloastronautsreportunidentifiedbrightobjectsspacedepartment

Opening summary

S. Department of War's official website, provides a detailed account of the astronauts' observations of unidentified phenomena during their journey. This document, which is part of a broader collection of declassified materials, highlights the challenges faced by astronauts in distinguishing between known and unknown objects in the vastness of space.

The transcript reveals that the astronauts observed several bright particles and fragments during a maneuver, which they described as "very bright" and "jagged, angular fragments" that were slowly tumbling outside their spacecraft. These fragments were speculated to be ice chunks or possibly paint peeling from the S-IVB stage of the rocket. Despite these speculations, the exact nature of these fragments remained uncertain, as the astronauts could not conclusively identify them.

In addition to these fragments, the astronauts reported seeing a bright, rotating object that flashed in a rhythmic pattern. This object was distinct from the nearby particles, indicating it was…

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