A leaked whistleblower report in November 2024 alleged the Department of Defense operates a secret UFO data retrieval program called “Immaculate Constellation,” sparking immediate denial from the Pentagon and raising questions about transparency in UAP investigations.
NewsNation coverage of the November 2024 UAP hearings where Immaculate Constellation was discussed.
TL;DR: In November 2024, journalist Michael Shellenberger published a report alleging the Department of Defense operates a secret UFO retrieval program called “Immaculate Constellation” that has been withholding high-resolution UAP images and data from Congress and the public for decades. The DoD immediately denied the program’s existence, stating it has “no record, present or historical, of any type of SAP called ‘IMMACULATE CONSTELLATION.'” The claims emerged during congressional UAP hearings where witnesses described the program as an information-gathering and evidence-retrieval operation conducted without proper oversight. Sources linked below.
A 2024 Pentagon whistleblower report alleged a secret UFO data program called “Immaculate Constellation” collects UAP evidence without oversight.
Timeline: Immaculate Constellation Pentagon Program
November 12, 2024 Journalist Michael Shellenberger publishes a report alleging the Department of Defense operates a secret UFO retrieval program called “Immaculate Constellation.”
November 13, 2024 The Department of Defense issues a statement denying the existence of any program called “Immaculate Constellation,” stating it has no record of such a Special Access Program.
November 13, 2024 Shellenberger testifies before Congress about the alleged program during UAP hearings, describing it as an information-gathering operation withholding data from the public.
November 22, 2024 Popular Mechanics publishes an analysis of the Immaculate Constellation claims, noting multiple witnesses described the program during congressional hearings.
January 2026 FOIA requests for information about Immaculate Constellation are denied by the Department of Defense, citing national security exemptions.
The Allegations: Shellenberger’s Report on Immaculate Constellation
According to NewsNation, independent journalist Michael Shellenberger published a report in November 2024 alleging the Department of Defense operates a secret UFO retrieval program called “Immaculate Constellation.” The report, based on leaked whistleblower information, claims the program serves as a central or parent unacknowledged Special Access Program (uSAP) that consolidates observations of UAPs by both tasked and untasked collection platforms.
Popular Mechanics reported that during UAP hearings on Capitol Hill, multiple witnesses described the elaborately named program as an alleged information-gathering and evidence-retrieval program conducted by the Department of Defense without Congressional oversight. The Immaculate Constellation program, they say, has been withholding a treasure trove of high-resolution images and other data about UAP sightings from the public for decades.
The report claims the U.S. military and intelligence community database includes videos and images taken using infrared, forward-looking infrared, full motion video, and still photography. According to congressional hearing transcripts, the program allegedly serves as a central repository that consolidates observations of UAPs by both tasked and untasked collection platforms.
Official Response: Department of Defense Denial
The Department of Defense responded swiftly to the allegations. NewsNation reported that a DoD spokesperson stated: “The Department of Defense has no record, present or historical, of any type of SAP called ‘IMMACULATE CONSTELLATION.'” The spokesperson emphasized that the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) is the publicly-known DoD program that collects and investigates reports of UAPs.
The denial was consistent across multiple outlets, with the Department of Defense maintaining transparency through its established AARO program while denying the existence of any secret program called Immaculate Constellation.
Congressional Hearings: Shellenberger Whistleblower Testimony
The allegations emerged during congressional UAP hearings in November 2024. According to NPR, witnesses including journalist Michael Shellenberger testified that the U.S. is running secret UAP programs without proper congressional oversight. The Shellenberger whistleblower report formed the basis of the Immaculate Constellation allegations. Former intelligence officer Luis Elizondo, who managed a highly sensitive Special Access Program on behalf of the White House and the National Security Council, also testified about classified UAP programs.
During the hearings, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) asked Elizondo: “Are there UAP programs operating without proper congressional oversight?” Elizondo responded: “100%.” When asked what they were, Elizondo stated he would have to discuss that in a closed session, according to Congressional Dish transcripts.
FOIA Requests: Document Denials for Immaculate Constellation
Following the allegations, journalists and researchers filed Freedom of Information Act requests for information about Immaculate Constellation. FOIA requests were denied in January 2026, with the Department of Defense citing national security exemptions. This pattern of denial for UAP-related FOIA requests has been consistent, with the government frequently invoking exemptions for classified programs.
The denial of FOIA requests adds to the controversy, as transparency advocates argue that if the program doesn’t exist, there should be no national security concern in releasing documents stating as much. However, the Department of Defense maintains that even confirming or denying the existence of certain programs can itself be classified information.
Opposing Perspectives on Immaculate Constellation Claims
Skeptics and government transparency advocates offer several counter-explanations for the Immaculate Constellation controversy. Some analysts suggest the program name may be a fabrication or misunderstanding, possibly conflating different classified programs. Others point to the established AARO program as evidence the Department of Defense is already transparent about UAP investigation efforts.
Mick West of Metabunk, a skeptical analysis site, has consistently argued that many UAP claims result from misidentification of conventional objects or insufficient data. Regarding secret programs, West and other skeptics note that the existence of classified military programs is routine, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re studying extraterrestrial technology.
Government accountability advocates argue that even if Immaculate Constellation doesn’t exist, the controversy highlights real issues with congressional oversight of classified programs. The Government Accountability Office has repeatedly raised concerns about proper oversight of Special Access Programs across various defense domains.
Michael Shellenberger discusses the Immaculate Constellation allegations on Reality Check.
Sources
Documents
Reporting
- Popular Mechanics: Immaculate Constellation: What Is the Secretive DoD UFO Unit? (November 22, 2024)
- NewsNation: ‘Immaculate Constellation’ UAP program named in report: Journalist (November 13, 2024)
- NewsNation: What is the alleged DoD program on UAPs? (November 13, 2024)
- NPR: Experts testify before lawmakers that the U.S. is running secret UAP programs (November 13, 2024)
- Metabunk: Skeptical analysis of UAP claims