Short answer
NASA-UAP-D031 is a PURSUE-released NASA still from STS-80 (Space Shuttle Columbia, Nov–Dec 1996) showing an unidentified object in low-Earth orbit - the second of three images - consistent with a free-floating object tumbling about its major axis, not a labeled alien craft ID.
What this record is
This AnomalyWiki entry is a government-file page for NASA-UAP-D031. Issuing / holding agency listed in frontmatter: NASA. Document / release dating: STS-80 mission Nov 19–Dec 7, 1996; PURSUE Release 04 (2026-07-10). Format: image. Release batch: PURSUE Release 04. Geographic focus noted on the record: Low-Earth orbit. It lives under the PURSUE / War.gov UFO archive hub so readers can open a primary file without treating every release as an origin verdict.
Use this page when you need (1) a neutral paraphrase of what the public file actually contains, (2) explicit non-claims, and (3) a durable sourceUrl for citation. Do not substitute podcast summaries for the PDF/image itself.
Agent-side cache path (not a public download mirror): tmp/sources/war-gov-ufo/release-04/NASA-UAP-D031.jpg.
Official PURSUE index title: NASA-UAP-D031, STS-80 Unidentified Object Image 2, 1996.
What it says
Per the official PURSUE description, during STS-80 astronauts aboard Columbia captured a series of three images of an unidentified object in low-Earth orbit. In the second photograph, the object is visible near the center of the frame, to the right of Earth’s limb. It appears to have rotated or tumbled about its major axis, consistent with the behavior of a free-floating object.
Official PURSUE index description (paraphrase context)
During STS-80, between November 19 and December 7, 1996, astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Columbia captured a series of three images of an unidentified object in low-Earth orbit. In the second photograph, the object is visible near the center of the frame, to the right of the limb of the Earth. It appears to have rotated or tumbled about its major axis, which is consistent with the behavior of a free-floating object.
The block above tracks the War.gov/UFO catalog wording used in src/data/pursue-war-gov-ufo/manifest.json (asOf 2026-10-01). Prefer the primary PDF/image wording when it conflicts with secondary commentary.
Document-specific reading notes
STS-80 (Space Shuttle Columbia, 19 Nov–7 Dec 1996) series of three unidentified-object stills in low-Earth orbit; this page covers image 2 (NASA-UAP-D031). Official PURSUE blurb: object near frame center, right of Earth’s limb, appears to have rotated/tumbled about its major axis - consistent with free-floating behavior. “Unidentified” ≠ NASA-certified alien craft; passive debris can also tumble. Local still: /images/official-records/pursue/NASA-UAP-D031.jpg. Check the portal for sibling frames D030/D032.
Key findings (reader takeaways)
- STS-80 Columbia still - image 2 of three
- Object near frame center, right of Earth’s limb
- Described tumble consistent with free-floating object
How mainstream / institutional framing reads it
Treat as primary still imagery of an unresolved on-orbit object from a known shuttle mission; enthusiasts debate ID, but official release language stays “unidentified” with free-floating/tumble notes.
Claims vs mainstream
| Claim | Mainstream / encyclopedia view |
|---|---|
| NASA released proof of an alien ship on STS-80. | The official blurb calls it an unidentified object and notes tumble consistent with free-floating behavior. |
| If astronauts photographed it, it must be intelligently controlled. | Passive debris can also appear as unresolved free-floating objects. |
| PURSUE release upgrades the ID. | Release republishes the holding; it does not rewrite the mission ID. |
What it does not say
“Unidentified” in a NASA-held still does not mean NASA certified an alien spacecraft. Tumbling free-floating behavior is also consistent with debris or other passive objects - the index does not name a specific identification.
Additionally, encyclopedia use of this page should not:
- Upgrade “unresolved,” “interview,” “rendering,” or “administrative” labels into confirmed exotic hardware.
- Treat PURSUE publication timing (2026) as a modern DoD endorsement of every historical conclusion inside the file.
- Collapse adjacent document ids (companion renderings, film memos, Blue Book folders, AAWSAP CLINs) into a single claim.
- Invent redacted names, missing pages, or “smoking gun” clauses that are not visible in the public release.
How to read / access
Open the primary source: https://www.war.gov/medialink/ufo/071026/release_04/documents/NASA-UAP-D031_STS-80-Unidentified-Object-Image2_1996.jpg.
Read the file’s own labels (IIR vs finished intel; FD-302 vs conclusion; rendering vs photograph; SOO vs field report).
Cross-check the official catalog blurb on war.gov/UFO / the editor manifest when you need batch, agency, or companion-id context.
For War.gov medialink verification in agent workflows, prefer Playwright MCP per
docs/agentic-knowledge/war-gov-ufo.mdrather than guessing URLs.Agents may run
pdftotext/ image inspection againsttmp/sources/war-gov-ufo/release-04/NASA-UAP-D031.jpgwhen an OCR extract already exists undertmp/sources/war-gov-ufo/extracts/.
Citation tip: quote the document id and release batch, then link the medialink URL. If you only need thematic browsing, start at the PURSUE archive hub instead of this deep-dive.
Related cases and objects
FAQ
Is this an alien craft photo?
No. It is an official still of an unidentified free-floating object during STS-80 - ID unresolved in the release blurb.
Are there other frames?
The index describes a three-image series; this page covers image 2 (D031). Check the portal for siblings.
Can we use the local pursue image?
Yes - /images/official-records/pursue/NASA-UAP-D031.jpg.
Sources
Primary: NASA-UAP-D031 (NASA; accessed via PURSUE / War.gov).
Portal: war.gov/UFO.
Editor index:
src/data/pursue-war-gov-ufo/manifest.json(not published as a public HTML dump).Hub guide: PURSUE / War.gov UFO collection.
