Apollo 17 UFO Sightings: Pentagon Releases Old Lunar Mission Files

The Pentagon has released 162 files about UFOs seen during the 1972 Apollo 17 moon mission. This is part of a bigger plan to share more UFO information.
By Newsroom | Space, Government |

The Department of Defense has released a batch of declassified documents, including images and transcripts, related to NASA's Apollo 17 mission. The released material details previously undisclosed sightings of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) observed by astronauts during the historic 1972 lunar expedition. Officials acknowledge there is "no consensus about the nature of the anomaly" but a preliminary analysis suggests at least one UAP could be a "physical object."

3 Photos of Apollo 17: Pentagon Unveils NASA Photo of 'Three Lights' on Moon's Surface - 1

The documents, made public on Friday, May 8, 2026, contain a NASA photograph from the Apollo 17 mission that visibly shows "three 'dots' in a triangular formation in the lower right quadrant of the lunar sky." Upon magnification, the formation is clearly visible. Astronauts aboard Apollo 17 also reported seeing bright, tumbling sparks and jagged fragments resembling fireworks, with one astronaut describing the lights as looking “like the Fourth of July.”

Read More: Why Humans Haven't Returned to the Moon Since 1972

3 Photos of Apollo 17: Pentagon Unveils NASA Photo of 'Three Lights' on Moon's Surface - 2

Additional Anomalies and Broader Disclosure

The initial release comprises 162 files from government archives, including State Department cables, FBI documents, and NASA transcripts. These files are part of a broader effort by the Pentagon to increase transparency regarding government knowledge of UAP. Officials have indicated that more declassified files will be published online in the coming weeks as agencies continue their reviews.

3 Photos of Apollo 17: Pentagon Unveils NASA Photo of 'Three Lights' on Moon's Surface - 3

The released materials also include:

  • A report of a "football-shaped Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP)" appearing in classified documents.

  • References to other NASA missions, such as Apollo 11, Apollo 12, and Gemini VII, where astronauts reportedly witnessed unidentified objects or phenomena.

  • Apollo 12 mission records detailing astronauts' reports of floating debris, flashes, and particles outside the lunar module.

  • An Apollo 17 mission transcript featuring astronauts discussing mysterious objects floating near the spacecraft.

Context of the Release

This disclosure follows a directive from President Donald Trump earlier this year, aimed at increasing transparency around reported UAP sightings. The Pentagon stated that this release demonstrates the administration's "earnest commitment to unprecedented transparency" regarding UAP information. The documents are available on the Department of War's website.

Critics, such as astrophysicist Adam Frank, have expressed skepticism, suggesting that redacted or inconclusive content in the files might not advance the understanding of these phenomena. Public interest in UAP has been high, with many surveys indicating a belief that the government has been withholding information about extraterrestrial life.

Read More: Pentagon Releases 162 UFO Files for Public to Study

Apollo 17 marked the sixth and final crewed mission to the moon, with the astronauts of that mission being the last humans to date to set foot on its surface. The newly released files are part of an ongoing effort to shed light on decades of government investigations into unidentified aerial phenomena.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did the Pentagon release about the Apollo 17 mission?
The Pentagon released 162 declassified files about the 1972 Apollo 17 moon mission. These files include pictures and notes about strange things astronauts saw in space.
Q: What did Apollo 17 astronauts see in 1972?
Astronauts reported seeing bright lights like fireworks and three 'dots' in a triangle shape in the sky. They also saw 'football-shaped' objects and floating sparks.
Q: Why is the Pentagon releasing these Apollo 17 files now?
The Pentagon is releasing these files to be more open about what the government knows about UFOs. This follows a request from President Trump to share more information.
Q: What happens next with these UFO files?
The Pentagon plans to release more declassified files online in the coming weeks. They are still reviewing the documents from different government agencies.
Q: Are these Apollo 17 files proof of aliens?
Officials say there is no agreement on what the strange sights were. One idea is that at least one sighting could be a real object, but more study is needed.