Baker report, 1968 congressional hearings

(3) Soft data on anomalistic phenomena also exist, but we have no quantitative procedure to evaluate their credibility and
develop clear-cut conclusions on the characteristics of the anomalistic phenomena.
(4) It follows from the scientific method that an experiment or experiments should be devised, and closely related study
programs be initiated expressly to define the anomalistic data better.
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(5) In order to justify such an experiment and associated studies, it is not necessary to presuppose the existence of
intelligent extraterrestrial life operating in the environs of the earth, or to make dubious speculations either concerning
"their" advanced scientific and engineering capabilities or "their" psychological motivations and behavioral patterns.
In the light of these conclusions, I will make the following recommendations:
(1) In order to obtain information-rich hard and soft data on anomalistic phenomena, an interdisciplinary, mobile task force
or team of highly qualified scientists should be organized. This team should be established on a long-term basis, well
funded, and equipped to swing into action and investigate reports on anomalistic phenomena immediately after such
reports are received. Because of the relatively low frequency of substantive reports (see p. 1968), immediate results should
not be anticipated, but in the interim periods between their investigations in the field, their time could be productively spent
in making thorough analyses of data collected by them previously, and in "sharpening up" their analysis tools.
(2) In concert with the aforementioned task force, a sensor system should be developed expressly for detecting and
recording anomalistic observational phenomena for hard-data evaluation. The system might include one or more phased-
array radars (certainly not having the cost or capability of the FPS-85, but operating in a limited fashion that would be
similar to the FPS-85). A phased-array radar would have the advantage over a conventional "dish" radar in that it could
track at high rates and divide its energy in an optimum fashion between detection and tracking. The control system would
be unique, and would necessitate the development of a sequential data-processing controller that would increase the state
variables describing the object's path from a six-dimensional position and velocity estimation to a 12-dimensional
acceleration and jerk estimation (Baker (1967)) in order to follow erratic motion.
In addition, the data base would have to be especially designed, to avoid manmade space objects and (if possible) airplanes,
birds, common meteors, etc. It should, however, be designed to detect and track nearby cometoids, macrometeorites
(fireballs), ball lightning, and any other erratic or anomalistic object within its range. Optical cameras (including
spectrographic equipment) should be slaved to the radar, in order to provide more comprehensive data. Because of the
aforementioned low frequency of anomalistic data, alarms from the system should not occur very frequently and could be
communicated directly to the recommended task force.
(3) A proposed new-generation, space-based long-wave-length infrared surveillance sensor system should be funded and
the associated software should be modified to include provisions for the addition of anomalistic objects in its data base.
The specific sensor system cannot be identified for reasons of security, but details can probably be obtained from the Air
Force. This sensor system, in particular, could provide some data (perhaps incomplete) on anomalistic, objects which
exhibit a slight temperature contrast with the space background, on a basis of noninterference with its military mission. The
system represents a promising technological development, and no other novel
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technique introduced in recent years offers more promise for space surveillance. In my view, the scientific principles
underlying the proposed surveillance system are sound, and a developmental measurements program should be initiated.
(4) The software designed for the FPS-85 phase-array radar at Eglin Air Force Base be extended in order to provide a
capability to detect and track anomalistic space objects. The relatively inexpensive modification could include the
implementation of tracking techniques such as those outlined in Baker (1967). It should, however, be clearly borne in mind
that only a limited amount of tracking time (about 30 percent) could be devoted to this endeavor, because of the overriding
importance of the surveillance of manmade space objects which is the basic responsibility of this radar.