The Condon Report

The study designed, its own memo hinted, to reach its conclusion first.

The University of Colorado UFO Project (1966-68), commissioned by the Air Force to settle the matter. It did: Condon's summary declared further study unwarranted, and Blue Book closed. The problem is inside the report — roughly 30% of its own cases remain unexplained, including radar-visual events its authors called baffling. The 'trick memo' (project coordinator Robert Low, describing how the study could appear objective while expecting negative findings) leaked, and half the staff quit or were fired. It connects to Blue Book as the instrument of its closure, and to the argument that the conclusion was procured, not found.