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French expert on unidentified flying objects, space tourism

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

Jacques Arnould

PUDUCHERRY: Did you know that the French National Space Agency (CNES) is one of the first in the world to start an official department for Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)? “We started it about 30 years ago, and we have about 200 sightings of UFOs every year. The department tries to come up with explanations like landings or launches of various rockets or if it is an event in space,” explained Jacques Arnould, counsellor in charge of ethical, social and cultural aspects of space activities of the CNES.

He was here recently in Puducherry to address students of Lycee Francais on the topic ‘Science and Philosophy’.

“This year, we opened a portion of our archives regarding UFOs on the Internet, and after about two hours the website was bombarded with thousands of hits that we were amazed. The people are so interested in knowing what stands without,” he said.

On the issue of space debris, caused by explosions of various objects, including missiles and spacecraft, he said it was a subject that had come to the fore in the past 15 to 20 years. “Space law stated that it was necessary to protect and respect celestial bodies, which are a common human heritage. “Like we protect the Earth from contamination when we bring something from space, we try to reduce contamination of other planets by sterilization of probes that land on them. This is because some planets might be able to support life,” said Mr. Jacques Arnould.

About space tourists, he said that it was another subject of interest to many . “There have been a few people who want to be space tourists, but here the responsibility of sending these persons would not be on the respective Governments but on the company that is sending them. As regards the opinion of astronauts, they have different opinions. Some say space is sacred space, but now many have come to terms with it.”

On his work, he said it was his job to ask questions regarding the end goal of each project, the consequences of official actions. “It is not so much a question of the technology used or the political will but other aspects.” Having been in the agency for less than 10 years now, we asked him if he too wanted to land on the moon and with a smile that filled his face Jacques Arnould said that since he was 1.94 m tall his dream of making a zero gravity flight might not be possible!

Jacques Arnould has a Ph.D. in the History of Sciences and in Theology, and is interested in the relation between sciences, cultures and religions. Several of his works are devoted to theology and science.

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