Physics & flight dynamics
What the observed kinematics, accelerations, and electromagnetic effects of UAP would have to mean if the reports are taken at face value — and what physical constraints the data already imposes.
12 papers · sorted newest first
The New Science of Unidentified Aerospace-Undersea Phenomena (UAP)
Progress in Aerospace Sciences · 2025Knuth et al.
Comprehensive review in a top aerospace journal positioning UAP/UASP as a legitimate research domain — sensor data, observed dynamics, and open questions.
Unidentified Aerospace-Undersea Phenomena (UAP) Status and Outlook
Progress in Aerospace Sciences · 2025Platzer
Companion review piece in PAS surveying the state of the UAP record from an aerospace-sciences perspective: what's signal, what's noise, what's left to do.
The UAP Assessment Matrix: A Framework for Evaluating Evidence and Understanding
Acta Astronautica · 2025Lomas et al.
Proposes a formal matrix for scoring UAP evidence quality across observational, instrumental, and corroboration axes. Companion to the case-analysis literature.
The Reported Shape, Size, Kinematics, Electromagnetic Effects, and Presence of Sound of UAP From Select Reports, 1947–2016
AIAA Aviation 2024 · 2024Powell et al.
Statistical synthesis of physical attributes — shape, size, kinematic profile, EM effects, presence of sound — across the 1947–2016 reporting window.
A New Method to Derive an Empirical Lower Limit on the Mass Density of a UFO
arXiv (astro-ph preprint) · 2024Loeb
Derives a lower bound on UAP mass density from observed kinematics — a method for ruling out atmospheric/optical artefacts using basic physics.
Occupational Safety and Reporting Guidance: Reviewing UAP Safety Events
AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND 2024 · 2024Burstein et al.
Aviation-safety review of UAP-associated incidents from the FAA NMACs and pilot reporting record. Frames UAP as an air-safety dataset, not only a curiosity.
The Reported Shape, Size, Kinematics, Electromagnetic Effects, and Presence of Sound of UAP from Select Reports, 1947–2016
Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU) · 2023Powell et al.
SCU white paper preceding the AIAA version. Same dataset, more methodological detail on case selection and coding.
Physical Constraints on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
Harvard CfA preprint · 2023Loeb & Kirkpatrick
Jointly authored by Galileo Project founder Avi Loeb and then-AARO director Sean Kirkpatrick. Lays out the physical envelope inside which UAP behaviour can lie before requiring new physics.
Aerodynamic Interactions and Turbulence Mitigation by Unidentified Aerospace-Undersea Phenomena
AIAA Aviation 2023 · 2023Oliver
Examines reported absence of typical aerodynamic interactions (wake turbulence, sonic effects) in UAP observations and what they would imply if real.
Expedition to W-72
AIAA Aviation 2023 · 2023Platte
Mission report from a UAP field-instrumentation expedition to military Warning Area W-72, including platform configuration and data take.
Down to Earth Limits on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena in Ukraine
arXiv (astro-ph preprint) · 2022Loeb
Applies physical-limit analysis to the Ukrainian Main Astronomical Observatory's reported UAP observations. Tests what they could and could not have been.
Knuth et al.
Quantitative estimation of accelerations, velocities, and propulsion power implied by selected UAP case kinematics. The early peer-reviewed treatment.
Other themes