University research project
The Galileo Project
A Harvard-led project developing instruments and analysis methods to search for physical evidence of UAP and possible technological objects.
- Established
- 2021
- Status
- Active
- Country
- United States
- Parent organisation
- Harvard University
Overview
The Galileo Project is a research initiative led by Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb. Announced in July 2021, it seeks new, openly analysable data concerning unidentified anomalous phenomena and possible extraterrestrial technological objects rather than relying primarily on anecdotal or classified reports.
Its UAP work centres on multisensor observatories and machine-assisted classification. The project also studies interstellar objects and interstellar meteors. These research tracks share an interest in potential extraterrestrial technology, but a search programme does not establish that such technology has been detected.
Purpose and remit
- Design and operate observatories using optical, infrared, radio, acoustic, magnetic and particle sensors to examine objects near Earth.
- Develop reproducible methods for distinguishing familiar objects and atmospheric effects from genuinely anomalous detections.
- Study astronomical survey and satellite data for unusual interstellar objects and possible technological signatures.
- Publish methods and results through scientific channels and favour open data where legal and practical constraints allow.
Methods and outputs
Methods
- Calibrated multisensor observatories
- Expedition-based imaging and acoustic measurement
- Open scientific analysis and instrument-development papers
Principal outputs
- Peer-reviewed methods and instrumentation papers
- Observatory systems and expedition datasets
- Research updates and technical presentations
- Reporting route
- Does not accept public sighting reports
- Data availability
- Methods published; selected research data and code released
History
-
26 July 2021
Project announced
The project launched with research branches covering UAP observation, interstellar objects and possible extraterrestrial technological artefacts near Earth.
-
2022–23
First observatory developed
The team assembled, tested and calibrated a multisensor observatory designed for continuous monitoring and automated classification of objects in the sky.
-
24 May 2023
Methods papers published
The project announced its first seven peer-reviewed papers in the Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation, describing instrumentation, analytical methods and research objectives.
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2023 onward
Observational and expedition work continued
The group continued collecting observatory data, analysing satellite material and pursuing its separate research programme concerning interstellar meteors.
Current work
Multisensor sky observatories
The UAP research track collects synchronised measurements intended to support physical characterisation and ordinary-object classification before an anomaly is considered.
Machine-assisted classification
Software pipelines are designed to identify aircraft, satellites, birds, balloons and other known classes across large volumes of sensor data.
Interstellar-object research
A separate branch examines unusual interstellar visitors, astronomical surveys and potential interception strategies.
Methods publication
The project publishes instrumentation and analysis methods, allowing researchers to assess its experimental design before evaluating any claimed discovery.
Key people
Linked names open the corresponding UAPRAD Human profile.
Tim Gallaudet
Research affiliate
Contributes oceanographic and national-security experience to the wider research network.
Related organisations
UAP Science Advisory Council
Project director Avi Loeb also chairs the government advisory council.
Evidence assessment
The Galileo Project’s principal contribution is methodological: it attempts to replace opportunistic footage and retrospective testimony with planned observation using calibrated instruments. Published system designs allow readers to examine what the project intends to measure, how sensors are synchronised and how ordinary objects or artefacts might be filtered before an event is treated as a candidate anomaly.
A sound observatory design does not establish that the system has detected novel technology. That conclusion would require a documented event, adequate calibration, environmental and traffic context, a reproducible analytical chain and access to the relevant data. The project’s UAP, interstellar-object and ocean-retrieval activities also address different questions; evidence developed in one branch cannot automatically support a conclusion in another.
The project will become more evidentially important if its observing systems produce openly described datasets that outside teams can test. Until then, its strongest public output is a research framework and an example of civilian prospective collection, rather than a finding about the origin of UAP.
Scope and limits
What the record supports
- The project moves UAP inquiry towards planned observation with calibrated instruments and explicit collection protocols.
- Its published methods allow scrutiny of how candidate events are detected, filtered and characterised.
- The work provides a civilian scientific model that is not dependent on access to classified military sensors.
Limits on interpretation
- Instrumentation papers establish a method and capability; they are not evidence that an anomalous or extraterrestrial object has been detected.
- The project's several research branches should not be treated as one evidential chain: a finding about an interstellar meteor would not by itself explain a UAP observation.
- Interpretations advanced by individual researchers remain distinct from results supported by the project's collected data and peer-reviewed analysis.
Evidence note: The project is designed to collect new calibrated observations. Its existence and methods do not validate unrelated historical reports or establish an extraordinary explanation for UAP.
Sources
Sources are grouped by provenance so that official records, an organisation’s own account, research publications and independent analysis remain distinguishable.
Institutional and participant sources3 sources
-
Official
The Galileo Project — official site
Provides the project's research programme, team and publication record.
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Official
Galileo Project launch announcement
Records the initial objectives and planned branches of activity.
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Official
Harvard's Galileo Project publishes first peer-reviewed papers
Records the May 2023 methods-publication milestone.
Research publications1 source
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Research
The Galileo Project: searching for technological interstellar objects
Peer-reviewed overview of the project's scientific rationale, instruments and research branches.