The Department of War, working with the All‑domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), has made public a segment of audio recorded during NASA’s Mercury‑Atlas 9 flight on 15 May 1963. Identified in the agency’s mission‑report catalog as D011, the excerpt captures a brief exchange between astronaut Gordon Cooper and ground control concerning an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) observed while the capsule completed its 22‑orbit mission. According to the file name – nasa‑uap‑d011‑mercury‑atlas‑9‑audio‑excerpt‑may‑15‑1963 – the recording originates from the spacecraft’s telemetry system, which logged both voice communications and environmental sensor data.
The metadata attached to the file states that Cooper described a “glowing, greenish object” that seemed to approach the vehicle before receding. Sensor readings place the sighting at an altitude matching the spacecraft’s orbital path, though the report does not confirm whether radar or other tracking equipment captured the object.
The release forms part of the PURSUE policy framework, a directive from the Office of the Secretary of Defense that requires the declassification of historic UAP documentation from both military and civilian sources. While AARO has previously issued Navy and Air Force footage, this marks the first time an audio recording from a NASA mission has been disclosed under the program. AARO’s technical team examined the excerpt and found no indication of equipment failure or data corruption.
The analysis also noted that the phenomenon’s described behavior aligns with other UAP sightings recorded during the early 1960s, though the report deliberately avoids conjecture about the object’s origin or nature. The Pentagon’s statement emphasizes that the declassification is intended to increase transparency while safeguarding sensitive collection methods.
Officials indicated that further investigation may involve additional NASA archives, including full telemetry logs and any radar tracking records associated with the Mercury‑Atlas 9 flight. AARO also plans to interview surviving personnel, such as the ground‑control operators who were on duty during the incident, to obtain more contextual information. While the audio itself does not resolve the mystery, its publication is expected to reignite interest in Cold‑War‑era UAP cases.
AARO has reiterated that its ongoing review will remain data‑driven, focusing on any potential national‑security implications rather than speculative explanations. The declassified clip can be accessed through the Department of War’s release portal, and the accompanying documentation is available for public review under the PURSUE guidelines.
