Section A · Scientific researcher (GEPAN/CNES) · 1936–

Claude Poher

Founder and first director of GEPAN · CNES engineer, PhD in astrophysics

Biography

Engineer and astrophysics PhD at CNES who in 1977 founded and led GEPAN, the world's first official scientific body dedicated to studying unidentified aerospace phenomena, inside the French space agency. In 1975 he had co-authored with Jacques Vallée a statistical analysis of reports presented at the AIAA. In 1978 he concluded before GEPAN's scientific council that cases unexplained after rigorous investigation were material objects of unknown origin.

Why they're here · 3 pieces

  1. 1975

    Basic Patterns in UFO Observations (con J. Vallée)

    Statistical analysis of reports presented at the AIAA

  2. 1977

    Fundación del GEPAN (CNES)

    World's first official scientific body dedicated to studying UAP

  3. 1978

    Informe sobre los casos 'categoría D'

    Concluded the unexplained cases were material objects of unknown origin

Sources

Associated cases (2)

France.

Trans-en-Provence· 1981

An ovoid object set down for 30 seconds on a plot in Trans-en-Provence; GEPAN (CNES) and the INRA agricultural institute documented biochemical damage to the vegetation under Gendarmerie chain of custody: the model case of state scientific investigation of a UAP event.

A65%France.

GEPAN / GEIPAN · CNES agency· 1977

In 1977 the French space agency (CNES) created GEPAN (Groupe d'Étude des Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non-identifiés), initially directed by Claude Poher. Renamed SEPRA (1988) and then GEIPAN (2005), it is the only body in the world within a national space agency dedicated publicly and continuously —for nearly half a century— to receiving, investigating and publishing reports of unidentified aerospace phenomena. It classifies each case (A–D) by how much is explained; a small percentage remains 'PAN D', unidentified despite good information. It is the institutional gold standard, and the body that studied the Trans-en-Provence physical trace.

A45%

Synthesized bio from the UAP disclosure ecosystem — categorized by epistemological section (A-F).