Robert Bigelow

Overview

Robert T. Bigelow, the Las Vegas-based entrepreneur and aerospace magnate, became one of the most prominent private figures in the study of UFOs and related anomalies through his founding of the National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) in 1995. Established as a private research organization, NIDS brought together scientists, intelligence personnel, and former government officials to investigate reports of unexplained aerial phenomena, cattle mutilations, and paranormal activity. Its most publicized project was the acquisition of Skinwalker Ranch in Utah, which became the centerpiece of its investigations into anomalous activity.

Activities and Influence

NIDS represented a significant attempt to professionalize UFO research, employing credentialed experts and attempting to apply scientific methodology to subjects often dismissed by mainstream institutions. Bigelow’s funding allowed for advanced monitoring equipment, field investigations, and publication of research findings. At the same time, NIDS was often criticized for secrecy and selective disclosure, with some in the community alleging that information was withheld or channeled to government partners. Bigelow himself was portrayed as both a benefactor and a gatekeeper: funding investigators and projects on one hand, while discrediting rival efforts on the other.

Perspectives on Extraterrestrials

Bigelow has publicly articulated strong personal views about the extraterrestrial presence. Profiles often describe him as religiously fundamentalist in orientation, with a conviction that non-human intelligences are dangerous and potentially hostile. This perspective, whether theological or experiential in origin, informed both the framing of NIDS and its broader narrative within UFO research. For critics, this stance reinforced the impression that Bigelow’s involvement shaped not only what data was gathered but how it was interpreted and shared with the public.

Implications

The legacy of NIDS lies in its role as a bridge between fringe research and the aerospace establishment. By combining serious funding with professional research design, Bigelow demonstrated that private institutions could pursue UFO studies at a level once thought possible only for governments. At the same time, NIDS’ reputation for selective disclosure, combined with Bigelow’s influential role in shaping narratives, raises enduring questions about transparency, access to data, and the politics of knowledge in the UFO domain. For many, NIDS represents both a high-water mark in private UFO research and a case study in how influence, belief, and secrecy intertwine in shaping the field.