Next week, the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. will host its annual Ignatius Forum, a significant public affairs symposium where thought leaders confront pressing issues faced by the political elite. Recent forums have tackled themes like the nuclear threat, corporate responsibility, cyber warfare, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

On November 10, several speakers will discuss the topic Our Future in Space, including scientists, government representatives, and a theologian. The event is framed as follows by the National Cathedral:

Space is the new frontier for humanity. NASA is planning a new generation of exploration, scientists are debating the possibility of extraterrestrial life, and military planners are developing weapons for space warfare. What does this “space rush” mean — at a moment when billionaires are launching private spaceships, and the Director of National Intelligence has released a report assessing Unidentified Aerial Phenomena? As we look toward the heavens, what does the possibility of life “out there” mean for our religious life?

Among the attendees will be Avril Haines, the Director of National Intelligence, Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator, astronomer Avi Loeb (whose work has been featured on Trail of the Saucers), and David Wilkinson, a theologian and astrophysicist. David Ignatius, the Washington Post columnist after whom the forum is named, will facilitate a broad discussion on our shared future in space and the question of whether we are alone in the universe.

Tickets cost $20 for in-person attendance in Washington D.C., but the event can be watched live online for free with prior registration.

These topics resonate deeply with us and our audience, prompting us to seek questions to pose to the panel, especially to Haines, whose agency released the UAP report in June, and Nelson, a former astronaut and U.S. Senator now leading NASA.

We commend the National Cathedral for prioritizing this topic and gathering such a distinguished panel. Here are some inquiries we hope will be raised and answered. The first is directed to Ignatius and the Cathedral's leadership:

1. The Doomsday Clock, maintained by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, currently stands at 100 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been, representing the risk of human-made global disaster. With ongoing nuclear proliferation and climate change threats, along with America's socio-economic divisions, why is this year's forum focusing on space and the potential for extraterrestrial life? Is it merely because of the interest sparked by billionaires venturing into space?

2. In recent months, several high-ranking federal officials have suggested that UAPs might indicate a non-human intelligence. For instance, Rep. Adam Schiff mentioned “aliens” as a surprising revelation during his tenure. Similarly, Sen. Mitt Romney seemed to dismiss typical explanations on CNN, while figures like Christopher Mellon and Luis Elizondo have been vocal since their 60 Minutes appearance. Their hints suggest the U.S. Government may have extraordinary information it’s hesitant to disclose. Why is that?

3. The military and intelligence agencies of Russia and China likely know that U.S. Naval vessels have long been equipped with video equipment. Why do we cite “national security” and “classified” information as reasons to withhold UAP footage from the public, especially in incidents involving the USS Nimitz?

4. The documented presence of UAPs near U.S. nuclear facilities is well-known among ufologists and military personnel. Sen. Marco Rubio has acknowledged UFOs near military installations. Why isn’t this issue receiving more attention?

5. Administrator Nelson, do you believe that other U.S. agencies have been as transparent as you'd like regarding UAPs, both with the public and with you personally? What has the level of cooperation been like within NASA since your appointment? Have you requested any UAP intelligence that remains undisclosed to you?

6. (For Nelson and Haines): Discussions about extraterrestrial life often focus on finding it. Can you confidently state today that the U.S. Government has no evidence suggesting that E.T. or another form of non-human intelligence has already discovered us?

7. What key advancements and resources might humanity gain from establishing open contact with more advanced extraterrestrial civilizations? What would we seek in diplomatic discussions if such a scenario were to arise?

8. Americans are inundated with news about the search for extraterrestrial life and exoplanets. It seems likely that if SETI detected signals from intelligent beings or if a Mars rover discovered even microbial life, it would dominate the headlines. Simultaneously, many are convinced that extraterrestrial life is already among us, either through personal UFO sightings or assertions from individuals like Luis Elizondo, who has hinted at the existence of UAP crash debris and biological samples. We seek a dialogue on this puzzling contradiction.

9. The prevailing narrative in the search for extraterrestrial life is that no evidence has been found here, with the expectation being to find traces of it elsewhere. Thus, skeptics might argue that discussions about the implications for religion are premature. Is there any justification for discussing this now?

10. Should NASA maintain transparency with the public regarding UAP sightings by astronauts on the International Space Station? How often do UAPs appear and get documented from the ISS?

11. Following the release of the brief UAP report last summer by the DNI, reports indicated that Congress received a more extensive classified briefing, including about 45 minutes of video not available to the public. Have any of you seen this classified footage of UAP incidents, and if so, what was your impression, even if you cannot disclose specifics? How did it affect you?

12. On a Canadian podcast this year, Luis Elizondo suggested that if everyone were aware of what he knows about UAPs, the mood would be “somber,” leading some to turn towards religion and others to distance themselves from it. Why would a career intelligence officer involved in Pentagon UAP research express that sentiment? Do you agree or disagree with his view?

    Trail of the Saucers is edited by writer/producer Bryce Zabel and published by Stellar Productions. Zabel co-hosts the popular new podcast Need to Know with Coulthart and Zabel available on all major platforms.