White House Names Avi Loeb to Lead UAP Science Advisory Council
Cambridge, US
DAVID DEE DELGADO/Reuters
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July 11, 2026
Mixed reactions and cautions: Reactions to Loeb's appointment were mixed: some welcomed the involvement of independent scientists and a data-driven approach, while others warned that the council's value depends on clear mandate, access to relevant data, collaboration with government bodies, and public reporting; Loeb's past controversial claims also prompted skepticism. Council members voiced intentions to apply rigorous, physics-based and quantitative methods.
July 11, 2026
Loeb named to head UAP council: On July 11, 2026 reporting, Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb was appointed chair of the newly formed UAP Science Advisory Council established by the White House alongside AARO, ODNI, the FBI and the intelligence community; the council is charged with data-driven, instrumentation-focused study of UAP and providing scientific reports to the UAP Governing Board. Loeb assembled a multidisciplinary team including physicists, a philosopher, computer scientist, psychologist and others to pursue higher-quality data collection and analysis.
May 08, 2026
Pentagon releases 2024 observation: The Pentagon publicly released the 2024 infrared observation of the 'football-shaped' UAP on May 8, 2026, making the encounter part of the official record and public discussion. That release preceded formation of the new advisory council announced in July 2026.
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Source Analysis
Timeline
July 11, 2026
Mixed reactions and cautions: Reactions to Loeb's appointment were mixed: some welcomed the involvement of independent scientists and a data-driven approach, while others warned that the council's value depends on clear mandate, access to relevant data, collaboration with government bodies, and public reporting; Loeb's past controversial claims also prompted skepticism. Council members voiced intentions to apply rigorous, physics-based and quantitative methods.
July 11, 2026
Loeb named to head UAP council: On July 11, 2026 reporting, Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb was appointed chair of the newly formed UAP Science Advisory Council established by the White House alongside AARO, ODNI, the FBI and the intelligence community; the council is charged with data-driven, instrumentation-focused study of UAP and providing scientific reports to the UAP Governing Board. Loeb assembled a multidisciplinary team including physicists, a philosopher, computer scientist, psychologist and others to pursue higher-quality data collection and analysis.
May 08, 2026
Pentagon releases 2024 observation: The Pentagon publicly released the 2024 infrared observation of the 'football-shaped' UAP on May 8, 2026, making the encounter part of the official record and public discussion. That release preceded formation of the new advisory council announced in July 2026.
