NASA-UAP-D032 — STS-80 Unidentified Object Image 3, 1996
This dossier examines images from the STS-80 mission where astronauts captured an unidentified object in low-Earth orbit, focusing on its trajectory and visibility against Earth. The material is significant as it provides photographic evidence from a NASA mission of an unidentified object in space, which could contribute to ongoing research into UAPs and their characteristics.
- File
- Image · Release 04
- Date
- Nov 19–Dec 7, 1996
- Location
- Low-Earth Orbit
- Agency
- NASA
Probed Assessment
This dossier examines images from the STS-80 mission where astronauts captured an unidentified object in low-Earth orbit, focusing on its trajectory and visibility against Earth.
Key takeaways
- During the STS-80 mission, astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia photographed an unidentified object in low-Earth orbit, capturing it in a series of three images.
- The third image prominently features the object near the center of the frame, with Earth as the backdrop, suggesting its proximity to both the shuttle and the planet.
- There is an inference that the object followed a trajectory between the shuttle and Earth, though this remains unverified and speculative.
Why it matters
The material is significant as it provides photographic evidence from a NASA mission of an unidentified object in space, which could contribute to ongoing research into UAPs and their characteristics.
Corroboration
The dossier lacks independent corroboration, relying solely on the images captured during the STS-80 mission without additional documents or on-record statements to support the claims.
Open questions
- • What was the object's speed and trajectory relative to the Space Shuttle Columbia?
- • Are there any other NASA missions with similar unidentified object sightings?
- • What analyses have been conducted on the images to determine the object's nature?
- • Could atmospheric or optical phenomena account for the object's appearance in the images?
- • Has NASA provided any official explanation or follow-up investigation regarding this sighting?
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 third photograph, the object is visible near the center of the frame, superimposed against the Earth. It appears to have continued along a trajectory passing between Columbia and the Earth.
Preserved verbatim as source metadata. This wording is separate from Probed’s file-specific description and assessment.
File Context
Related entities
Tracker findings
Third STS-80 image shows the object against Earth
NASA's description places the object against Earth and says its apparent trajectory passes between Space Shuttle Columbia and the planet.
Release provenance
- Release
- Release 04
- Official ID
- release-04-file-010-nasa-uap-d032-sts-80-unidentified-object-image-3-1996
- 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 in low-Earth orbit.
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 third photograph, the object is visible near the center of the frame, superimposed against the Earth.
In the third photograph, the object is visible near the center of the frame, superimposed against the Earth.
The object appears to have continued along a trajectory passing between Columbia and the Earth.
It appears to have continued along a trajectory passing between Columbia and the Earth.
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.