NASA-UAP-D031 — STS-80 Unidentified Object Image 2, 1996
NASA-UAP-D031 focuses on images from the STS-80 mission where astronauts captured an unidentified object in low-Earth orbit, highlighting its observed rotation or tumbling. This material is significant as it documents an unidentified object observed by astronauts during a NASA mission, contributing to ongoing discussions about unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) in space contexts.
- File
- Image · Release 04
- Date
- Nov 19–Dec 7, 1996
- Location
- Low-Earth Orbit
- Agency
- NASA
Probed Assessment
NASA-UAP-D031 focuses on images from the STS-80 mission where astronauts captured an unidentified object in low-Earth orbit, highlighting its observed rotation or tumbling.
Key takeaways
- During the STS-80 mission, astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia captured images of an unidentified object in low-Earth orbit.
- The object was photographed near the center of the frame, specifically to the right of Earth's limb, in the second image of the series.
- The object's behavior, including rotation or tumbling about its major axis, suggests it was free-floating, consistent with space debris or other non-stationary objects.
Why it matters
This material is significant as it documents an unidentified object observed by astronauts during a NASA mission, contributing to ongoing discussions about unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) in space contexts.
Corroboration
The claims are based on observed data from the STS-80 mission, but lack additional independent sources or corroborating documents to support broader conclusions about the object's nature or origin.
Open questions
- • What additional data or analysis exists regarding the object's trajectory and speed?
- • Are there other similar observations from NASA missions that could provide context or comparison?
- • What are the potential explanations for the object's appearance and behavior?
- • Has NASA conducted any follow-up investigations or analyses on this specific observation?
- • Could this object be correlated with known space debris or other cataloged objects?
Probed separates this editorial assessment from the source claims below. It summarizes what the released artifact supports; it is not independent verification.
Official Description from War.gov
During STS-80, between November 19 and December 7, 1996, astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Columbia captured a series of three images of an unidentified object in low-Earth orbit. In the second photograph, the object is visible near the center of the frame, to the right of the limb of the Earth. It appears to have rotated or tumbled about its major axis, which is consistent with the behavior of a free-floating object.
Preserved verbatim as source metadata. This wording is separate from Probed’s file-specific description and assessment.
File Context
Related entities
Tracker findings
Second STS-80 image suggests rotation or tumbling
The official description says the object's changed appearance is consistent with rotation or tumbling by a free-floating object; this is a descriptive interpretation, not an identification.
Release provenance
- Release
- Release 04
- Official ID
- release-04-file-009-nasa-uap-d031-sts-80-unidentified-object-image-2-1996
- Cleared
- Jul 10, 2026
Sighting Context
Stored occurrence and enrichment data for this released artifact. Missing or regional data stays explicit rather than being inferred.
Shape not classified
No grounded form data
Observation profile
Recorded occurrence details
- Occurrence
- Low-Earth Orbit · Nov 19–Dec 7, 1996
- Location
- Low-Earth Orbit
- Classification
- Not classified
Environmental, lunar, orbital, satellite, airport, and nearby-infrastructure context loads when this section approaches the viewport.
Referenced Timeline
STS-80 Mission
Astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Columbia captured images of an unidentified object.
Source Claims
Claims are attributed to the released source and remain distinct from Probed’s assessment and tracker findings.
During STS-80, astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Columbia captured a series of three images of an unidentified object in low-Earth orbit.
During STS-80, between November 19 and December 7, 1996, astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Columbia captured a series of three images of an unidentified object in low-Earth orbit.
In the second photograph, the object is visible near the center of the frame, to the right of the limb of the Earth.
In the second photograph, the object is visible near the center of the frame, to the right of the limb of the Earth.
The object appears to have rotated or tumbled about its major axis, which is consistent with the behavior of a free-floating object.
It appears to have rotated or tumbled about its major axis, which is consistent with the behavior of a free-floating object.
Source Material & Evidence
Research Map
Lines appear only when two entities share a row-level source claim or dated timeline event. Unconnected nodes remain visible without implying a relationship.