---
title: "“UFOs were demonic”: Former astronaut Charlie Duke shares his views on UAPs and aliens"
url: "https://usubjects.com/article/ufos-were-demonic-former-astronaut-charlie-duke-shares-his-views-on-uaps-and-aliens-4089"
updated: "2026-10-11T16:03:39.665Z"
description: "Former Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke has expressed the view that UFOs and alleged alien encounters may have a demonic rather than extraterrestrial origin. The provided post does not include further details about the interview, evidence, or Reddit commenters’ responses."
sources: ["https://www.aol.com/articles/ufos-were-demonic-former-astronaut-163616000.html"]
licence: "All rights reserved"
---

# “UFOs were demonic”: Former astronaut Charlie Duke shares his views on UAPs and aliens

Published: 2026-10-11  
Source: [r/abovethenormnews](https://www.aol.com/articles/ufos-were-demonic-former-astronaut-163616000.html)

### Overview

Former NASA astronaut **Charlie Duke has said that UFOs and alleged encounters with nonhuman beings may have a demonic rather than extraterrestrial explanation**, according to an AOL article published October 10, 2026. The report is based on the headline, “UFOs were demonic,” but the source material provided does not include a full transcript, the setting of the interview, or additional quotations explaining Duke’s reasoning.

Duke’s comments place him among public figures who interpret reported UFO experiences through a religious or spiritual framework rather than as evidence of visitors from another planet. However, **the claim is a personal belief, not a conclusion supported by publicly established scientific evidence**. The available report also does not identify a specific sighting or encounter that Duke believes was demonic.

### Duke’s Background

Duke is a highly accomplished figure in the history of human spaceflight. He served as lunar-module pilot for **Apollo 16**, which landed on the Moon in April 1972. During the mission, Duke and mission commander John Young explored the lunar surface in the Descartes Highlands, while command-module pilot Ken Mattingly remained in lunar orbit.

As one of the astronauts who walked on the Moon, Duke has long been regarded as a credible commentator on space exploration and the risks of flight. His professional background, however, does not give him special authority to determine the origin of unidentified objects or alleged alien encounters. Experience as an astronaut can provide insight into aerospace operations and human perception in extreme environments, but it does not by itself verify supernatural or extraterrestrial explanations.

### UAP Claims and Interpretations

The term **UAP**, or unidentified anomalous phenomena, is increasingly used by government agencies and researchers in place of “UFO.” The designation describes observations that have not yet been identified; it does not establish that the objects are alien spacecraft. Potential explanations can include aircraft, balloons, satellites, atmospheric effects, sensor errors, classified technology, and misidentified ordinary objects.

The same distinction applies to reports of alleged contact with aliens. A witness account may be sincere while still being difficult to verify. Investigators generally look for corroborating evidence such as radar data, multiple independent witnesses, clear imagery, or physical material that can be examined under controlled conditions. The provided AOL material offers **no evidence linking UAP reports to demonic activity**, nor does it cite scientific, military, or theological authorities supporting Duke’s interpretation.

### Context and Unanswered Questions

Religious explanations for unusual experiences are not new. Some people interpret perceived apparitions, sleep paralysis, visions, or unexplained events according to their faith traditions. Others view similar reports as psychological, neurological, technological, or potentially extraterrestrial. These interpretations often reflect the beliefs of the observer more than the available physical evidence.

Because the source excerpt is limited, important details remain unclear: **When and where did Duke make the remarks? Was he discussing a personal experience, historical UFO cases, or reports from other witnesses?** The material also does not include responses from researchers, NASA, the U.S. government’s UAP office, or religious scholars. Until those details are available, Duke’s statement is best understood as a notable expression of personal opinion—not confirmation that UFOs are either demonic or extraterrestrial.

## Provenance

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