The New York Times website has a feature today on space entrepreneur and paranormal research funder Robert Bigelow. While most of the article concerns Bigelow Aerospace and its plans for inflatable space hotels/modules (which is all fascinating in its own right), there is also a quick mention of Bigelow’s ‘other life’:
His space stations are not his only interest in space. “I’ve been a researcher and student of U.F.O.’s for many, many years,” Mr. Bigelow said.“Anybody that does research, if people bother to do quality research, come away absolutely convinced. You don’t have to have personal encounters.”
He added: “People have been killed. People have been hurt. It’s more than observational kind of data.”
Other views that run counter to mainstream science include a belief in the power of prayer and a disbelief in the Big Bang theory.
I don’t know the man at all – but when you look at the things he’s done, and projects he continues to explore and take on, you have to admire his vision. Given the remarks in the article, it seems Bigelow retains his interest in ‘paranormal’ research – hopefully we see NIDSCI back in some form in future (although perhaps his funding of MUFON investigations is an example of how he’ll support research from now on).
Previously on TDG:
